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^rance and the 



^« «. 



A Drama in ' Three Acts 
BY ERNEST A. GERRARD 




PRIVATELY PRINIED 
No. 






h 7 



LllifiAK'Yof CONGS£SS 
Two Copiss fieceiveJ 

DEC 17 iyU4 

Coyyriiriu tntiy 



COHY B. 



Copyright, 1904, by 
Ernest A, Gerrard 



The Ivy Pre$s 



PRELUDE 

AN IDYLLIC VIEW OF DOMREMY 

"Jeanne Listening to the Voices" 

May 2, 1429. 



In the distance across the meadow 
appear the village church and Jeanne's 
home^ 

Jeanne is discovered in the foreground 
at the foot of a tree, with distaff and wool, 
spinning, 

A vision of St Michael in armor apf 
pears in mid^air. Jeanne stops spinning! 
she rises) distaff and spindle fall to the 
ground, As the vision moves slowly away 
she stretches forth her arms in longing, and 
so remains, transfixed, 

{Curtain), 



THE CHARACTERS: 

Charles VII {King of France) , 

Alencon, Jean Duke d' {Cousin to Charles). 

Richemont, Arthur Count de ( Uncle to Ale n^' 

con), 
Dunois, Jean {Bastard of Orleans). 
La Hire j 

Xaintrailles r {Captains at Orleans). 
Vendome ' 

Pierre le Cannonier (a tinker). 
Tremoille^ George de la {King's Favorite). 
Rheims, Archbishop of {Chancellor of 

France). 
d'Harcourt, Christopher) .^ .. x 
deBoisy ^iCoutUtrs). 

Loyseleur, Nicolas {tool to La Tremoille). 

Pierre de Versailles {priest) . 

Michel de Saint Valiereen (old Norman 

astrologer) . 
Jean Pasquerel (Jeanne's almoner), 
jaques d'Arc (Jeanne's father). 
Durand Laxart (Jeanne's uncle). 
Pierre Couchon (Bishop of Beauvais) , 
Jean Lamaitre ( Vice^Inquisitor of the Faith). 
Jean d'Estivet {promotor of the trial), 
Abbe de Fecamp x 
Jean Beaupere w ' j \ 

Jacques deTouraine ( ^^ S^^f' 
Nicolas Midi ^ 

Ysambard de la Pierre (friendly judge) . 
William Colles \ r ^ ' \ 
William Manchon [ («<"«"")' 



Jean Massieu (^executor of orders and ciia'^ 

tions). 
Earl of Suffolk ) (English leaders at 
Lord Talbot f Orleans)* 

Earl of Warwick ( Governor of Rouen Castle)* 
Earl of Stafford, 

Mary of Anjou (Queen of France)* 
Yoland of Arragon (the Queen's mother), 
Jeanne d'Arc, 

{Citizens, recruits, tnen^at^artns, pages, 
heralds, squires, knights, judges, priests, 
minstrels, courtiers, ladies of the court, etc) 



ACT L 

The throne-^rooxn in the Castle of Chinon, 





thft T.riKONf.R'por-c,ffrre"iC *iTLi>or<: msion^ 



It IS evening. Candles on the table, the 
mantle, and in wall^brackets light the room. 

On the left is discovered a temporary 
throne, on either side of which are a few 
heavy chairs. Behind it is a great tapestry 
displaying the arms of France, Beyond the 
throne are a pier^^ glass, two small tables, a 
door, and more chairs, 

On the right there is a great fire-place, 
with a bench on either side, near the center 

I, 9 



of the room a door, beyond the door chairs, 
a ad in the corner a tabie. 

At tlie rear there is a large doorway 
ftom which a carpet leads up the center of 
the room until opposite the dais where it 
ti'jrns and runs up the steps to the royal 
chairs. 

The room is hung with tapestries of the 
fourteenth century, and is decorated with 
armour, old lances, and trophies of the chase 

It is Monday, April 25, 1429, 



10 



ACT I, SCENE L 

{Neat the throne are discovered a 
cowled monk (Loyscleur) and a gaudily 
dressed courtier (La Tfcmoiilc) In earnest 
conversation.) 

La Tfcmoillc, — 

As for our Dauphin, King, 
{sarcastically) 

The little King of Bourges, 

He does but as I will. 

His power is naught* 

There, to the south, 

Lie Poitiers and Limoges, 

Long since o'erwhelmcd; 

The West and North,— 

Angers, Paris, Rouen, Calais, — 

Are ail in English hands; 

Eastward, Burgundy controls 

Champagne and Lorraine; 

We sit here at Chinon 

In idle impotence, 

Waiting until we lose QJ'lcans, 

A day, -.#,.,* a year. 

And Charles will rule no more ; 

But in his place 

Will sit bold Burgundy, 

Or English Bedford 

For the child now England's King. 
Loyseleur, — 

(shaking his head) 
I, i. 11 



No Englishman can tulc in France. 

( craftily insin ua ting) 
On my way each place I stopped, 
The people, sick of war, 
Would welcome Burgundy as King 
If he but brought them peace. 

La Tremoille, — 

( witli determina tion ) 

Aye, Loyselcur, 

They shall so welcome him> 
Loyseleur, — 

And many doubt the birth of Charles, 

Saying his father was 

Sire Louis de Boisredon/ 

La Tremoiile, — 

He sometimes doubts his birth himself, 
As well he may. Yet his manner, 
Face, his very indolence 
Point him out his father's son> 

(shrugging his shoulders) 
It matters not. For us 
There is one thing to do, but one. 
Since alone 1 albot would claim Orleans, 
Will not withdraw 
And let the town in peace 
Surrender unto Burgundy, 
The town must be sustained* 

{after a moment's meditation) 
Return and promise Burgundy 
Since England would not 
Have him rule in France, 
But hopes to snatch from Charles' 
Fast weakening grasp the prize. 
To hold for her boy King, 
That we will do our best 
12 1, i. 



To aid Orleans, with money^ 

Men/ and victualed store, 

Til England cries enough, 

Will yield the ground to him. 
(Loyselcur nods wittingly,) 

Once proven that without him 

England cannot take Orleans, 

Without him cannot conquer, 

Then they will seek him out 

And let him lead ; 

So Burgundy shall rule all France! 
Loyseleur, — 

Our hopes secured! 

{Both xnove toward the door to the 
^ right) 
La Tremoille, — 

As for the money and the men/at^arms 

'Twere well he send what aid he can; 

Secretly, .*.*., secretly^ 

Whatever else may chance, 

If Orleans fall, his force withdrawn, 

Our cause is lost forever- 

Make that clear. 
Loyseieur, — 

He shall understand, 

FareweiL 
La Tremoille,— 

Until you come again, 

(Loyseieur departs, La Tremoille 
moves toward the fireplace,) 



1, 1 13 



ACT I, SCENE IL 

{The dauphin Charles, gowned, hi'' 
towed by two courtiers (de Boisy and d'Har** 
court), enters from the left The courtiers 
stop at the pier ''glass. Guards take their 
places at each entrance, Charles, having 
found La Tremoillc, looks pleased, then, ob^ 
serving the departing monk, his face clouds 
with suspicion,) 

La Tremoille, — 

{discovering Charles, perturbed, 
hastening toward him ) 
My Lord? my king; 
Are you so restless? 

Could not the minstrels nor the maidens 
Hold you for a time? 
You seemed right well content 
A moment since^ 
Charles, — 

Un doubt, coining forward) 
Who was that went out, but now ? 

(petulantly) 
For him you left us. 
La Tremoillc, — 

(familiarly) 
A monk with news from the Pope. 

(He leads Charles forward to the 
fire-place,) 
Charles, — 

(smiling weakly, his suspicion gone) 
14 I, XX, 



The Pope at Pansicole; 

Of the one at Rome ? 
La Tfemoiile, — 

Martin, the Fifth, of Rome, 

The monk says, 

If worst comes to worsts here, 

We can find safe asylum 

Thru the South in Spain. 
Charles, — 

(dejected) 

It must be there, or else in Scotland. 
(restlessly) 

I did not like his face; 

Twas dark and evil purposed. 

Better minstrels than monks, 

Though both are ill enough. 

Both must be paid — 

Both flock thickest 

Where the money flows freest, 
{abstracted) 

In Scotland, or in Spain. 
La Trcmoille, — 

{before the fire) 

He was a bird of passage 

On his way to Denmark; 

We shall never sec him again. 

Where are the Oueen and all the court? 
Clharles, — 

{preoccupied) 

They are still dancing. 

I came hoping 

You would have news of the Maid, 
La Trcmoille, — 

The Maid! What Maid? 

She of Domremy ? 

I, ii. 15 



(shaking his head) 
At Poitiers 

The church has found her out 
And sent her home, 
'Twas but a simple wench ; I wonder 
That she made so great a noise* 
"Why since she came the astrologer. 
Saint Vallereen, has been deserted, 
Yet no one reads the stars^ 
Can tell the past and future 
Of a life, as he, 
Charles, — 

(uninterested) 
He promised me my horoscope to-day. 

( wistfully) 
She said that God had sent her. 
La Tremoiile, — 

(sitting down on the bench) 
And saying so but iie,d. 
It will take meH'-alvarms 
And guns to save Orleans^ 
Not country maids, but rather gold, 
God has other things to do, 
Charles, — 

(moving fcrwatdf disconsolate) 
Our stores are gone; 
Out money spent? 
If God come not to our aid 
Our cause is lost, 
Orleans will end it all, 

(La Tremoiile nods his bead in ss<^ 
sent, following Charles with his 
eyes, ) 
Charles (cont), — 

(^yearningly) 
16 h ii. 



She said she came from God, 
Would save Orleans and afterward 
Would lead the way to Rheims 

{entranced, looking afar) 
And have me crowned as King, 
The King of France! 
La Trcmoille, — 

{behind his back, startled, rising) 
Crowned, as well! 

(intensely) 
Would have you crowned! 

{mastering his emotion) 
She claims to be sent by God 
And yet would have you crowned? 

{sarcastically, smoothly) 
Is she then sure 
You are the only and true son 
Of the late mad King? 
Charles, — 

{wide eyed, with shriveled soul, 
whispering hoarsely) 
My mother wanton, wanton; 
Am I my father's son? 
Who might my father be ? 
La Tremoille, — 

{pleased at the effect on Charles) 
The maiden talks more wild 
Than frightened geese 
In a winter's storm, 

Charles, - - 

{aside, fearful, fascinated by the 
thought) 
The horoscope ,,,,,.,,., 
The horoscope ,.,,,>,',. 
{He moves about restlessly.) 

I, a 17 



La Tremoille (cont), — 

To drive the English from Orleans 
Were miracle enough, 
But to march from here 
Through all the north to Rheims 
Would need Saint Michael 
Leading on a hundred times 
The force we can command. 



It was a dream, 
The maid shall home 
And tend her sheep, 
While we urge on the war, 

Charles, — 

{despondent, overwhelmed by his 
difficuhies) 
I know not} , . , hope is dead. 

{He sinks to the bench, his head in 
his hands,) 

La Tremoille, — 

Not yet, my Lord, Do not despair, 

(secretly plotting) 
Tis known that Burgundy, 
Angered at the English, 
Because they would not withdraw 
And let Orleans surrender to his hand, 
Has ordered all his men-at-arms away. 
The English are alone, 
If we can hold Orleans, 
If, while he quarrels with England, 
We can settle terms of peace 
With Burgundy? then, with his aid. 
Defeat the English, 
We will win, and France 
Find peace and quietude again. 

18 I, ii. 



Charles< — 

{spiritless, uninterested) 
Do as you will. It matters not ; 
If only France find peace, 

Who would be a King 

To fight and strive 

And earn a people's hate 

But to be their King ! 

I would I were a peasant 

Born in sunshine Italy, unknown. 

My mother dissolute, my father crazed 
My brother poisoned ; my uncle, 
He who killed Orleans, 
Even before my eyes, murdered 
,.»,,.,, hy my friends, 
Wanton , , , . ^ dissolute , , , . 



I, ii« 19 



ACT I, SCENE III 

{Enter Alencon from the rear, Cotn^ 
ing forward tie salutes the courtiers and 
hastens to Charles,) 
La Tremoille, — 

{to ChaHes.) 
Alencon, 
Charles, — 

{rising) 
Gentle Cousin, what brings you 
To our deserted court? 
Alencon, — 

(somewhat excited) 
My cousin, our King, 
The country/'side's afire. 
The people everywhere proclaim a vir^' 

gin 
Who is to save Orleans ! 
A maid from out the marches of Lor^ 
raine ! 
Charles, — 

(brightening) 
Jeanne of Domremy. 

{The courtiers Join the group,) 
Alencon, — 

The story runs 

That Marie d' Avingnon foretold 
A maiden who should come, bearing 
arms, 
20 I, Hi. 



Who would delivef all of France 
From out the English hands. 
La Tfcmoille, — 
(coldly) 
That story has been noised about, 

de Boisy, — 

A . « > . « a most preposterous womani 
Is she not, , * , * Sicur George? 

Charles, — 

{lamely) 

She is now at Poitiers* 
Alencon, — 

So I have learned- 

And soon will come again, 

I was hunting in the forest 

When first I heard} 

There is little else to do these days, — 

To hunt or else be hunted. 

The farms overrun, deserted; 

The peasants hemmed in castles 

Or in towns} 

The lands a barren waste} 

So to gain a moment's brief forgetfulness, 

I went into the forest seeking deer, 

'Twas there I learned of her* 

I chanced upon three outlaws 

Quartered in the wood, 

Roasting meat upon an open firC' 

I ate with them* 

They were honest men enough} 

Robbed, their wives and children slain, 

They have in turn turned bandit. 

Now they wait to fight for the Maid, 



They say she rides a horse 
I, iii 21 



Even as a man. 

(Charles nods his head.) 
de Boisy, — 

And wears man's clothes; 

Most unbeseeming; is it not » . * 
{He turns to La Tremoillc.) 
Charles, — 

She is most strange; 

She wields a lance bravely> 

And yet her companions say 

She never did the like before. 

She prophesied a sword at Fierbois; 

In doubt, the priests dug in the ground 

Behind the altar and found it. 

She seems inspired^ 
La Tremoille, — 

(disgruntled) 

The child is crazed. 

We sent her on to Poitiers; 

The doctors there will send her home- 
Alencon, — 

From what I hear 

She rather seems divinely sane. 

All acclaim she is sent of God 

To save Orleans and France. 
La Tremoille, — 

(sarcastically) 

Do you think a maiden can save France 

When men^at'^arms have not availed? 
Alencon,— 

{scornfully) 

When a leader will not lead^ 

But sits with women, fools, 

And minstrels o'er the wine, 

What more should be expected? 
22 I, iii 



Were Richemont 
Leader of the men-at-arms 
Then arms might well avail! 
La Tremoille, — 

(with irrision) 
A bold brave youth ; 
Who has been hunting , . . , bunnies 1 
If you desire war 
Why don't you join 
Your traitorous uncle, Richemont? 
Aiencon, — 

(proudly) 
The only man of royal blood 
Who dares engage in war! 
The one lone patriot of France! 
You call him traitor, 
You who sit in indolence 
And let the kingdom slip. 
Bit by bit, from out your grasp, 
Whi'e he in harness faces death, 
it Boisy, — 

(unnoticed) 
But, gentle Duke, 
But, but we do our best* 
Don't we Sieur ,,,,,, 
Alencon,^ — 

(continuously) 
Who are the patriots of France 1 
Who in arms defend her ? 
Not you, .,,,., nor you, 

(de Boisy stops openmouthed) 
But even the tinkers^ tailors, 
Cobblers, greasy cooks^ 

(de Boisy is nauseated. La Tre** 
moille smiles ironically) 
I, iii. 23 



Within the wall of brave Orleans^ 

And peasant youths without, 

Led on by Xaintrailles, La Hire, 

The bastard of Orleans; 

Such alone now fight for France. 
{shrugging his shoulders) 

For France! There is no France, 

They fight for love of home and peace. 

Since Agincourt the Knights of France 

Have dared not meet their English con'' 
querors. 

There are no longer knights in France, 
de Boisy, — 

(greatly excited) 

But but, but you can't expect us 

To fight along with greasy cooks, 

Not with greasy cooks? 

Can we Sieur George ? 
La Tremoillc, — 

Peace, you tire the King. 

dc Boisy, — 

I , , / I beg his highness' pardon, 

But now ....,,, 
La Tremoille, — 

Peace; be still. 
Alencon, — 

For forty years 

France has been torn with strife* 

When the King went mad 

Our uncles, seeking power, 

Practised every crime, — 

Rebellion, treason, murder, — 

Each hating each, until 

The kingdom was disrupted. 

The people in despair, 
24 I Hi- 



The English, waiting, saw our weakness, 

Urged theif yeoman over, 

And have turned our land 

To one great barren waste, 

We sit in idleness; 

Orleans fights alone; 

The people hate us* 

Burgundy, still seeking power 

Assists our further ruin, 

(bitterly) 
A thousand curses on the hands 
Would haul on their own heads 
Their home abode. 
Zharles, — 

{weakly) 
If help come not from God 
We shall be lost, 
^lencon,- 

(despairing) 
And you here empty the treasury 
On idle triumphs, masks, lascivious 
shows, 

(La Tremoille smiles sarcastically. 

Shouting IS heard without) 
Charles, — 

(shrinking) 
They are shouting in the street, 
^lencon, — 

The Maid's return 
Was momently expected 
When I came in the gates; 
She may have come. 

(A herald's trumpet sounds, ) 
Charles, — 

(expectantly to La Tremoille) 



Do you think it can be she? 
La Tf emoille, — 

{shaking his head) 
We should first have heard. 



% I nl 



ACT I, SCENE IV, 

{Enter a messtnger from the rear as 
more cheering is heard in the distance. ) 

Messenger, — 

(to Charles,) 
The council has feturncd from Poitiers, 
Pierre de Versailles would bring you 
their report. 

Charles, — 

{excitedly, with LaTremoille's con'^ 
sent) 
We will receive him here, 

( The messenger departs. ) 



h iV' 2f 



ACT I, SCENE V, 

Charles, — 

{to himself t lull of hope) 
The maiden has returned ! 
La Tremoille, — 

What fondness makes you credit 
This girl's madness ? 
How can she aid Orleans ? 
Charles, — 

(with hesitation) 
I heard she was prefigured 
In prophecies of Merlin, 
Who said a virgin should come 
From out the oak-^woods of the Vosges 
To lead our armies against the English* 
La Tremoille, — 

(shrugging his shoulders) 
A maid, ,,,,.. a woman, 
de Boisy, — 

(swelling his chest) 
A chit of a girl. 
No higher than, than , , , > , 
Alencon, — 

Than you are, my Lord ? 

(de Boisy turns away vexedly,) 
de Boisy, — 

She will come here no more } 
Will she, Sieur , * . / , 
Aiencon, — 

(moving forward with pleasure) 
La Hire! 
26 I, v. 



ACT I, SCENE VI. 

(La Hire, Vendome, knights, squires, 
and men at arms with torches, enter from 
the right. Through the open doorway the 
excited noises of the street are heard,) 

La Hire, — 

( coming forward) 
What Alencon, you here 
With the King and his fond butterflies? 
(The courtiers shrink from him) 
La Hire, (cont). — 

(to Charles) 
The maiden has returned, 
The grey cowles^ 
Having exorcised her well, 
Have now resumed their beads; 
Shall we resume the war? 
Or would you still remain 
The King of Bourges 
With these most gallant gentles 
By your side? 
Charles,r — 

( appreh ensive ) 
Have you heard of the council; 
What did the prelates say ? 
La Hire. — 

I know not/ 
The maiden is for war; 
I, vi. 29 



So are we all 

rU have no need of priests 

Until I am in hell v/here 

May all the English armies usher me. 

{sternly) 
Six weeks have passed in idleness 
Since the Virgin came; 
Six weeks within the walls we've waited/ 
Waited on you here to move? 

{bluntly, to La Tremoille) 
What have you done ? 
Sent her away from us 
To Poitiers, , , . . to priests. 
La Tremoille, — 

{suavely) 
A peasant girl, why wait on her? 
If you would war the way is free, 
de Boisy, — 

But he has no Knights; 

There's nothing but a rabble 

In Orleans, most common fellows, 

( turning to d'Harcourt for confirni>^ 
at ion) 
And, . , , , and cooks* 

{The knights and squires laugh 
heartily. Charles, diverted, 
amused, listens, never taking the 
lead in the conversation, ) 
La Hire, — 

Most common fellows. 
Praise God no knights. 
No raging knights like you, 
And brave monsieur. 

(La Hire's squire slaps de Boisy on 
the shoulder much to his dis^' 
gust) 
30 I, vi. 



La Hire {cont), — 

(to Alencon) 
The day before I came away- 
One of my men, a tinker, 
One who mends your pans, that tinkle, 

(^The squire slaps de Boisy again.) 
And your bellows, that blow, 

(^indicating La Tremoille) 
This tinker came to me 
With a new.'made carronade 
And asked where he should mount it. 
The fourth shot smashed a timber 
On the Eastern English tower 
And carried down three Goddams« 
Since the battle of the Herrings 
Our knights have flown away* 

(to de Boisy) 
Were you in Orleans 
You'd chip stone round 
For cannon balls. 

{Bravos and laughter by the men^ 
at^arms,) 

Alencon, — 

How fare the army and the citizens? 

La Hire, — 

Impatient of the Maid's delay 
They sent me hither, 
All the city is riotous, expectant.. 
We cannot urge a move 
But some will say, 
"Wait for the Maid." 
And so we wait, 
When I went out the gates 
In an uproar the army 
Followed me and cried, — 
I,vi 31 



''Bfing back the Maid, the Maid! 
But bring the Virgin, 
Sent of God to save Orleans, 
And we will storm the gates of hell!" 
(shrugging) 
But here they wait upon 
The sleek and well-fed priests, 

{turning on La Trcmoille) 
What have priests to do with war? 

La Tremoille, — 

The maiden claims to come from God, 
Who then should Judge her but the 
church? 

de Boisy, — 

The church of course^ eh » « . * 

La Hire, — 

If any man 

Can look within her eyes and say 
That aught of evil dwells therein 
That man is damned. 

(Charles is pleased,) 

Vendome, — 

God never fashioned purer souL 

La Hire's Squire, — 

When on her way a knight, 
With evil in his heart. 
Blasphemed her even to God/ 
With pity in her voice 
She turned and questioned sadly, — 
"Why do you curse the Lord 

Who art so soon to die?" 
Within the hour the man 
Fell into the Loire, and drowned 
32 I, Ti, 



(The men-at-arms cross them- 
selves, One whispers, *' 'Within 
the hour,'* another "and 
drowned,") 
La Hire — 

While France is meat for every 
English carrion crow that flies, 
For Burgundian buzzards 
Who eat our vitals out, 
We sit us down in forced idleness, 
Where is the Maid ? 
Let her lead on. 
Alencon, — 

Would she were here, 
La Tremoille. — 

Being sent of God, 

We submitted her unto the Church, 

Until the Church agree 

Wc cannot move* 



33 



ACT I, SCENE VIL 

(Enter from the left the Archbishop of 
Rheims with five priests, some bearing 
torches,) 

La Hif e, — 

Lo, with dignity, the priests appear} 
The Bishop hath his pr iestict 
By the ear, 

AlencoQ, — 

(indicating the Bishop) 
The great temporizer. 
Who makes war with soft fair words. 
La Hire, — 

And much pouting, 

(All move forward to meet them, 
the men-at-arms laughing,) 



34 I, vii. 



ACT I, SCENE VIII, 

i Enter from the tight the Queen, Lady 
Yoland, court ladies, minstrels, extremely 
dressed courtiers, squires with numerous 
torches, pages, etc, The court ladies are 
elaborately gowned and wear immense head 
dresses [hennins],) 








Courtiars ^.„>^ 

5- • •• •• •• \ 

Keims* ©^lencoT^w \ \^ 

Itt H,re» iia-IreneilJe 



The THrone Room iw tne Castle or Cmnon 



Rheims, — 

( fo Charles, his lips working he^ 

fore he speaks) 

Pierre de Versailles, together with Mai*' 

tre Jean Erault, and Maitre Jourdain 

Morin have come from Poitiers/ bear*' 



I, viii» 



35 



ing the judgment of the Holy Church 
there late assembled concerning 
Jeanne, the maid from Domremy. 
Charles, — 

(anxiously, with hesitation) 
We will hear their judgment, 

La Hire, — 

Pray God it be brieL 
Rheims, — 

(presenting the priest) 
Pierre de Versailles, Abbot of Talmont, 
will deliver their report/ 

(H/s lips continue their querulous 
movements,) 
Pierre de Versailles, — 
(bowing) 
Most gracious King, we bring to you the 
opinion of the Doctors, requested by 
your Majesty touching the faith of the 
Maid sent of God? 

(reading from a paper) 
"The King, seeing the necessity of him/ 
self and the kingdom, and considering 
the continued prayers of his poor peo/^ 
pie to God and of all others loving 
peace and justice, ought not to doubt 
nor cast aside the Maid/' 

(The men^'at-^arms applaud,) 

"who herself says she is sent 
of God to give succor to him; nor 
ought he to insist that her promises 
are themselves human works? neither 
should nor ought he to believe in her 
too soon nor too lightly." 

(The priests nod their heads,) 
36 I, viii. 



"But, following the Holy 
Scfiptufc, it is necessary to try her 
in two waysj that is to test by human 
prudence in inquiring into her life, 
past and present, as says Saint Paul the 
Apostle, 'Probate Spiritus si ex Deo 
sunt'; and by devout orison, to re*' 
quire a sign or a divine work by which 
it could be judged if she came of God," 
(The priests agree,) 

"As for the first, which is 
by human prudence, the King has had 
proven the^said Maid concerning her 
life, birthfc intention, and has had her 
guarded with him the space of six 
weeks that all might examine her, 
clerks, churchmen, soldiers, and worn** 
en; and wisely and discreetly has she 
conversed with all, and in her no one 
has found evil but only true humility, 
purity, devotion, honesty, simpleness, 
and of her birth and life several mar^ 
vels are spoken as true/' 

{The women and all the court 
whisper among themselves, ''It 
is so," "It is true") 

"As to the second manner 
of probation the King has demanded a 
sign, to which she has responded that 
before Orleans she will show it, and not 
in any other place, for thus to her is it 
ordained by God," 

{The knights and men^at^'arms 
shout, "On to Orleans! Let her 
lead us to Orleans!" 

"Considering the King has 
I« viii. 37 



made probation of thc^said Maid, inso-' 
much as to him was possible* and has 
found no evil in hcf, {applause) and 
considering her response, which is to 
give a divine sign before Orleans, 
{applause) and seeing her constancy 
and perseverance in her purpose^ and 
her request to go at once to Orleans to 
show there the divine sign, {applause) 
the King ought not to hinder her from 
going to Orleans with his men^'at^ 
arms {Increasing applause) but ought 
to have her taken beseemly while 
trusting in the Lord, {wild tumult^ 
uo us cheering) For to doubt or delay 
her without the appearance of evil 
would be repugnant to the Holy Spirit, 
and would render the King himself 
unworthy the aid of God. For as said 
Gamaliel in a council of the Jews in 
regard to the apostles, — 'If this work 
be of men it will come to nought; but 
if it be of God ye dare not overthrow 
it, lest ye be found to fight even 
against God/ " 

La Hire, — 

"Wisdom from the mouths of babes and 
sucklings, 

Men^at/arms, ladies, and knights, — 
Command the Maid ! 
Let us relieve Orleans ! 

{The throng breaks up hustling 
and talking. Rheims consults 
La Tremoille aside. ) 

38 I, viil 



La Hire, — 

{moving to Charles) 
Even the church agrees. 
Shall she now lead us? 
Charles, — 

( eagerly, excited) 
Where is she? 
Let us appoint her, 

{to La Tremoille) 
Let us have her. 
La Tremoille, — 

She shall appear, 

{to Lord Vendome) 
My Lord Vendome, 
Will you summon the Maid 
To appear, at once, 
Before his majesty, the King, 
Vendome, — 
{bowing) 
I will, my Lord, 

(Vendome accompanied by two 
squires with torches departs on 
his errand, La Hire's squire 
follows him,) 



I, viii 39 



ACT I SCENE IX. 

( The throng breaks up into little ani^ 
mated groups. Courtiers and ladies amuse 
themselves with flirtation and laughter. The 
minstrels near the fireplace strum on their 
viols. Rheims and La Trcmoille lead Charles 
aside. The priests and men-at-arms talk of 
the trial) 

Alencon, — 

(greeting Lady Yoland and the 
Queen) 
What do you think of the Maid? 

Lady Yoland, — 

{earnestly) 

She is a most pure virgin/ 

When speaking of her mission 

Her soul burns in her eyes 

As 'twould consume her body. 

She seems possessed 

Of some great spirit. 
Queen, — 

I am filled with awe 

Each time I look on her? 

She is akin with God. 

Lady Yoland, — 
At times 

She is as simple and sweet 
As any village maiden, 
40 I. ix. 



Chaste and prudent, 

With zeal for all things 

Good and righteous. 
A Lady, — 

She has a comely wit. 
Lady Yoland, — 

She is full of grace 

And worthy of great trust. 

{The Queen and others agree,) 



I, ix. 41 



ACT I, SCENE X, 

(Enter Michel de Saint Vallereen, the 
old Norman astrologer, He pauses a mo/ 
ment looking about,' then marches solemnly 
to Charles,) 

Alencon, — 

The Norman Astfologer! 

What has he been reading in the stars? 
Lady Yoland, — 

Let us listen, 
Charles, — 

{excitedly) 

Saint Vallereen! 

You have finished the reading? 

What have you learned? 

What of my future, of my birth? 
Saint Vallereen/ - 

{slowly, impressively) 

Most noble Dauphin 

The horoscope is ended* 

Of the past nothing can be toldj 

Tis wrapped in gloom, in darkness. 
Charles, — 

Lost; the past is dead. 
Saint Vallereen, — 

At your birth a thousand forces 

Strove against your future? 

War, rebellion, envy, hate 

The stars proclaimed, 

Yet place and sovereignty, 
42 I. X. 



iominously) 
Saturn was in the eleventh house? 
Mercury in the fifth, 
In the sixth the Moon 
Opposed itself to Mars, 
But the sun shone bold 
In the house of dignity and honour, 

(looking at La Tremoille) 
Beware your too close friends; 
They will be found your enemies. 
In banquets and ease your health 
And gold will waste away. 
In war you will be led} 
You will not lead, 
Alencon, — 

(moving toward him excitedly) 
And of the future; 
What of the prophecy of Merlin? 

Saint Vallereen (cont,), — 

In the ninth house^ 

Between the Sun and the Moon, 

A short-lived Virgin Star appeared, 

Trust in that Star; 

It brings you the favor of God! 

(The assemblage is thrilled.) 
Charles, — 

It is the Maid ; 

It is the Maid! 

Saint Vallereen (cont.), — 

Jupiter and Venus bespoke 
Fortune to come, long life and love; 
Both are friendly to Mars, 



You will desire peace, 
Yet all your life have war; 



I, X. 43 



You will desire power, 
Others will dictate for you; 
Yet France shall be united, 

Trust in your kingly authority; 
Trust in love and war; 
Trust not in your friends; 
Rely upon the Lord I 
Charles, — 

(ecstatically) 
King of France united ; 
Through the Maid 1 

( The people In excited groups con" 
verse with each other.) 
La Trcmoilie, — 

(frowning angrily) 
Old man 

Who bribed you to this prophecy ? 
Saint Vallereen, — 

It is so writ in Heaven, 
Read the stars! 

(Scorning La Trcmoilie he turns 
and departs, ) 



44 I, X. 



ACT I, SCENE XL 

Charles, — 

(to himself) 

The Maid shall save us; 

The Maid shall save us I 
La Tf emoille, — 

( to Charles intensely) 

I see no need of trusting our wars 

To ignorance and stupidity^ 

What if the cow^girl 

Be innocent and pure, 

Or free of evil spirits* 

It does not follow that 

She is chosen by God 

To lead the men-at-arms. 
Rheims, — 

(peevishly) 

Let her go with the men/at^arms, 

"Be conducted/' as the council saithj 

But do not trust the army 

To her inexperience/ 

She knows nothing of war. 
La Hire, — 

{coming forward) 

If God has chosen her to lead/ 

Then she shall lead, not follow^ 

Put us off no longer. 
The Men/atArms, — 

God has chosen I 

She shall command us! 
I, xi. 45 



La Tf emoille, — 

Wc have no proof from God} 

Her word is all. 
La Hire, — 

It is enough, 

(La Hire's squire reenters,) 



46 I, xu 



ACT I SCENE XIL 

La Hire's Squire, — 

( to La Hire, adjusting his harness) 
The people of the city 
Are going wild, 

A thousand torches on the streets 
Have turned the night to day. 
And everywhere they throng 
The ways and cry, — 
'The Maid, , . . , the Maid! 
The Maid shall save Orleans!" 

( The people within catch the en** 
thusiasm and shout, — "The 
Maidr ''Orleans!" "To warH 

La Hire, — 

They have found her? 
She is coming? 

La Hire's Squire, — 

She is on the way, 

{AH move toward and watch the 
doorway. From without v/ord 
is passed f the people within fate 
it up, murmuring, "She is cor^j^ 
ing," "She comes f she comes ^' 
Outside the tumult increases ttn'' 
til it bursts in at the doors a> 
the heralds* trumpets softnd.) 

I, xu, 47 



ACT I SCENE XIIL 

( The Dauphin and the Queen take their 
places of state on the throne, The courtiers 
and ladies with much gayety and nonchal" 
ance group themselves about them. At the 
doorway there is cheering and the blowing 
of trumpets, Then, preceded by heralds, 
accompanied by Vendomc, followed by her 
squires and men^at^'arais Jeanne enters, 
She is quiet, dignified, naive, earnest. In 
the hushed silence she approaches the 
throne and kneels before the Dauphin*) 

Jeanne, — 

(in a low thrilled voice) 
Gentle Dauphin, 
I am sent/ and I have come 
To you ,,.,.,, from God, 
To give succor unto you 
And to your kingdom* 

(The court 1 silenced, listens eager if 
ly, intently,) 
Through me the King of Heaven 
Sends you word 
You will be consecrated soon 
And crowned at Rheimsj 
And that you will be 
Lieutenant of the King of Heaven, 
Who is the King of France. 

I pray you 

That there be no more delay, 
48 I, xiii. 



But that, in haste, 
You send me to Orleans, 
Where the people are in need 
That God's commandments 
May now be fulfilled. 
Charles, — 

{descending from his state, his in'' 
decision and lassitude having 
passed away) 
Rise Jeanne. We welcome you 
Returned from Poitiers. 
In you the church has found no wrong* 
They have examined you well 
And have discovered naught 
But goodness, humility, and devotion. 
Nor could they see anything 
Contrary to the catholic faith* 
You have been proven; 
The men.'at-'arms await youj 
Thou art indeed from God, 

{turning to the court) 
The cause now rests 
With us assembled here. 
La Trcmoille, — 

{brusquely, pushing forward) 
How came it God chose you 
To lead our wars ? 

{The Dauphin awaits her answer,) 
Jeanne, — 

( to Charles) 
I know not. Six years ago, 
Twas midday, in the summer, 
In my father's garden. 
An angel voice spoke to me 
Saying, urging, — "Go into France/* 
And I have come. 
U xiii. 49 



(The court crowds forward to list^ 
en> Alencon pressing close foU 
lows her every word and ex^ 
pression, fascinated,) 




"TCttcTf^ioNt ttooH^MjTMr Ca^tuc. orCHiMOi<\ 



Rheims, — 

{peevishly) 

Why do you come before the King 

Dressed as a man? 
Jeanne, — 

{simply, not downcast) 

The good people of Vaucouleurs 

Gave me these clothes. 

My life henceforth 

Is with the men/at^arms 

Tis best I dress as they. 
La Tremoille, — 

What makes you think it was 

An angel's voice you heard? 
Jeanne, — 

It seemed to me to come 
50 I, xiii* 



From lips that I should reverence* 

In time I learned 

It was an angel of the Lord* 
( turning to Charles) 

Often the Voice came to me 

In the garden, 

Urging me to France, 

It told me of the so great misery 

In the kingdom. 

Of God's so great compassion 

For the people, 

Besought me to be good 

That He might use me. 

And then it told 

How France would be united, 

How God, through you, 

Would rule o'er France, 

How peace would come, 

And all the people 

Learn to bless you. 

It urged me to Orleans, 

At first I was afraid; 

But soon I ceased to fear, 

For God spoke in the angel's voice. 
Charles, — 

(^nodding) 

It was an angel of the Lord* 
La Tremoille, — 

God told you 

You should save Orleans? 
La Hire, — 

'Tis what she said. 
Jeanne, — 

( to La Hire and the throng) 

A year ago, near Easter, 

The Voice said, — 
1, ziii* 51 



"Go raise the siege, 

Before the city of Orleans/' 
I shrank in fear, and answered, — 
"I know nought of the art of war ; 

I am an untaught village child. 

They would mock me; 

I could not lead the men-at-arms/' 
I besought God that He 
Should not lay upon me 
Such a heavy burden ; 
I prayed that I might rather 
Stay at home, and spin. 
And mind my father's sheep, 
But the angel speaking, said, — 
"Go! God will aid you* 

Go to Vaucouleurs; 

Thou there shalt find a captain 

Who will lead thee safely 

Into France and to the King. 

Be without fear; 

He will furnish you with arms, 

And safely lead you/' 
And I believed, and feared no more. 

Rheims, — 

(knitting his brow) 
Did your father send you? 

(The knights and ladies await her 
answer,) 
Jeanne, — 

( sligh tly grie ved ) 
He knew not that I came ; 
He would have hindered me. 

(Rheims shakes his head dispart 
agingly. Some of the throng 
are in doubt) 
52 I, xiii. 



La Tfcmoille, — 

{cynically) 
Yet you arc sent by God? 
Jeanne, — 

(^steadfastly) 
In all things but this one, 
I have well obeyed my parents, 
I have sent them word. 
And they have forgiven me* 

{A Sigh of relief escapes the throng,) 
When God commands, we must obey. 
If He commanded me. 
Had I had a hundred fathers, 
Had my father been a King, 
I should have come ; 
And yet I love my father. 
And would not cause him grief, 
La Tremoille, — 

{thrusting himself forward) 
God said 

You should lead the way to Rheims 
And have him crowned ? 
La Hire, — 

The wise man, as the fool, 
Must be most often made assure. 
La Tremoille,— 

{persistently) 
Did God say whom 
You should lead to Rheims? 
Whom have crowned? 

(Charles starts and turns pale, The 
group await her answer,) 
Jeanne, — 

(quietly, with strength) 
God said the Dauphin 
Should rule for him in France, 

I, xiii. 53 



(Charles^ reassured, breathes free 
again,) 
La Tremoillc, — 

You call him Dauphin; 
Is he not already King? 
Why crown him again? 

(All await her answer In 5us^ 
pense,) 
Jeanne, — 

The angel said, — 

"In the name of the King of Heaven, 
The Dauphin shall be consecrated 
And crowned at Rheims, 
To hold in trust the kingdom. 
And rule for God in France/' 
(with inspiration) 
For once anointed King, and crowned 
The power of his enemies will decline. 
Within three years, the English 
Will be driven forth. 
And traitorous Burgundy will be found 
Humbly kneeling at his feet, 

(Charles becomes more confident) 
La Hire's Squire, — 

Saint Michael and the French! 
Down with Burgundy! 
Jeanne (cont), — 

( to La Tremoille) 
Woe, woe to those who would 
Stand in the pathway of the Lord, 
Who dare oppose His mandate! 

(Rheims leads La Tremoille aside, 

Charles Joins the Queen and 

Lady Yoland, La Hire's squire 

and the men^'at^arms talk with 

54 1, xiii. 



Jeanne's squires, Bertrand-, and 
Jean de Metz.) 
Alcncon, — 

(zealously, to Jeanne) 
I am Alencon, cousin to the King« 
While hunting in the forest 
I heard of you and hither came at once* 
Make me thy knight; 
I consecrate myself to you 
And France) 
Jeanne, — 

(moving forward, taking his hand) 
Ah, gentle Duke, 
Would there were more like you. 
The more of the royal blood of France, 
The better for the kingdom. 

La Hire's Squire, — 

(full of information) 
She foretold 
The battle of the Herrings, 

(All look at Jeanne for con firman 
tion.) 
Jeanne/ — 

At Vaucouleurs the Voice said, — 
"Today the gentle Dauphin 
Hath had great hurt near by Orleans, 
And yet greater will he have 
If you do not soon succor him," 

(Charles, greatly impressed, moves 
closer.) 
Jeanne (cont), — 
'Twas this I told 
Unto the Sire de Baudricourt, 
Then, for that he saw 
The people had faith in me, 

I, xiii. ^5 



And word came of the battlc/ 
He trusted me and sent me. 
With the people he cheered us 
Through the gates as we departed/ 

Alencon,-- 

(/n awe) 
And you came in safety? 
Jeanne, — 

{artlessly sincere) 
The Lord chose the route 
And guided us through the armies 
Of the Burgundians/ 
Lady Yoland, — 

{thoroughly persuaded) 
God guards and guides her« 
Jeanne, — 

{to Alencon) 
Here and at Poitiers 
We have waited on the clergy 
Seven most precious weeks, 
Yonder they are dying? 

{restlessly) 
There can be no more delay* 

{turning to Charles, earnestly) 
I bring you the best of all aid/ — 
The aid of the King of Heaven. 
It docs not come to you from me 
But from the Lord Himself, 
Who has compassion on your city, 

{beseechingly) 
Send us at once to Orleans. 
Knights and Men^at/'arms, — 

Command us; we would go. 
Lady Yoland and the Queen, — 

(to Charles, insistently) 

Let her lead the army. 
56 I, xiii. 



La Tfcmoillc, — 

We have neither men/at^afms 

For an army, nor gold for their supplies. 

La Hire, — 

The menxat/^arms await her^ 

Their trust so great 

That when she comes 

Our strength will be redoubled* 

Lady Yoland, — 

I will give gold* 
Alencon, — 

And I, as much as I possess. 
Vendome, — 

Dunois demands her presence*, 

The soldiers are oppressed} 

Without her all will be lost, 
Charles, — 

(to LaTremoille.) 

We must accredit her. 
La Tremoille, — 

{shaking his head) 

La Hire, Vendome, Alencon 

Know more of war j 

Why commission her? 
Charles, — 

{desirous, yet hesitant) 

She is appointed , . , , , , 
Rheims, — 

{breaking in, to Jeanne) 

Why should God choose you 

Rather than another? 
Jeanne, — 

It has pleased God 

So to do by a simple maiden 
1, xiii, 57 



To drive back the enemies of France. 
I did not wish to come. 

La Tremoille, — 

God forbids belief in you 
Without some sign tending thereto. 
I shall not advise the King 
To trust men-at-arms to you 
That they should be in peril 
On your simple word, 

Jeanne, — 

In the name of God 

I am not come to Chinon to show signs. 
Take me to Orleans 
And God will give you signs 
Of that for which He sent me, 
Rheims, — 

(pompously) 
God gave a sign to Gideon. 
Even two. 

Gideon said unto the Lord, — 
"If thou wilt save Israel by my hand, 

As thou hast said, behold, i 

I will put a fleece of wool 

Upon the floor and if the dew 

Be upon the fleece alone 

And it be dry 

On all the earth beside. 

Then I shall know that by my hand 

Thou wilt save Israel, 

As thou hast said," 
And it was soj 

For on the morrow he rose up early, 
And thrust the fleece together, 
And wringed the dew from out the 
fleece, — 
58 I, xiii. 



A bowl of water. 
But yet he doubtcd< 
And said unto the Lord, — 
"Let me prove, I pray thee^ 
But once more with the fleece. 
Let it now be dry upon the fleece, 
And upon all the ground 
Let there be dew." 
And God did so that night; 
For it was dry upon the fleece, 
And there was dew on all the ground. 
Has God then given you a sign ? 
Jeanne, — 

iwifh dignity 
Even as God gave a si^n to Gideon 
So hath he signed unto me. 

{The throng is breathlessly ex** 
pectant) 
Send me to Orleans 
That I may accomplish his word. 
For the King in Heaven has promised 
Through me to raise the siege. 
I have no fear but that it will be done, 
(La Hire's squire and the nien^ati* 
arms shout, — "Long live France!" 
"Saint Michael and the Maid!" 
"On to Orleans!") 



I, xiii. 59 



ACT I, SCENE XIV, 

Jeanne, — 

{to Charles) 
Gentle Dauphin, 
To you will I give a sign, 
And you shall doubt no mof c, 

{She leads him aside. The others 
argue among themselves, mov'' 
ing about restlessly* La Trc*' 
moille edges near and would 
listen buthdi Hire discovers him 
and forces him away,) 
Jeanne, — 

Last night, alone in youf chamber, 

You prayed, within your heart. 

That if you were the lawful heir, 

And issue of the house of France, 

If justly unto you belonged the kingdom, 

That God would guard, defend, 

And keep you in your right } 

If not, that he would give you grace 

And suffer you safe passage 

To Scotland or to Spain, 

(Charles is filled with awe,) 
Jeanne (cont.), — 

{with exaltation) 
Be not dismayed 

For thus our Lord bade tell thee — 
'Once crowned at Rheims 
Thou soon shalt come 
60 I, xiv. 



To reign for him o'er France 
From Cadiz to Calais/ For thou art 

The true right heir of France 

Thy father was the King! 

Charlesr - 

(buoyantly) 
My father was the King! 

(Jeanne leaving him rejoins the 
knights.^ 



I ziv, 61 



ACT I, SCENE XV, 

Rhcims, — 

{fretfully, working his lips) 
What was the sign? 
La Tf cmoillc, — 

{anxiously) 
What did you tell the King? 
Jeanne, — 

You will fofgire me reverend sirs; 
My message was for no one 
Save the Prince alone. 

(Their faces flush darkly-) 
La Hire, — 

Bravo! Well done; well done! 

( The tneni^aUarms are enthusiasm 
tic. La Tremoille and Rheims 
turn to Charles,) 
Alencon, — 

Was it something they might not know? 

Jeanne, — 

Do you tell secrets for your friends 
To your enemies? 

( Outside a herald's horn is heard, 
Charles turns aboutf La Tre*' 
moille stops f all listen, ) 



62 I, XV. 



ACT I, SCENE XVL 

{An excited, traveUstained messenger 
from Orleans enters hurriedly, followed by 
men-at-arms and citizens,) 

La Hire, — 

A messenger! 

With news from Orleans! 

(The messenger hastens to La 
Hire,) 
What says Lord Dunoisf 

(All gather excitedly about them,) 
Messenger, — 

(fo La Hire) 
I am sent to know 
Why you have not come, my Lord, 
With the Maid. 
Stubbornly we have fought 
Waiting, waiting. 
Each morn we said, — 
"Today the Maid will come," 
And each night hope whispered,— 
"Tomorrow she will appear." 
And yet she came not,* 
Nor heard we any news. 
Where is she ? 
What have you done f 
What have you done? 
La Hire, — 

(grimly) 
Wc have deferred to priests, 
I, xvi, 63 



(La Tremoille and Rheims ate at 
one side consulting, helpless,) 
Messenger, — 

Orleans is helpless} 
Our food is almost gone. 
We cannot long await your aid. 
Our courage fails, 

(In tears Jeanne listens to his rcf 
cital.) 
The English, new provisioned, 
Have strengthened all their forts; 
Talbot and Suffolk jeer and mock at us| 
Saint Loup has fallen in their hands. 
La Hire, — 

{exasperated) 
Gods! Gods! 
Messenger, — 

We must soon yield 

Unless the Maiden sent of God 

Come to rescue us. 

La Hire, — 

(with determination) 
She shall come } 
She shall comel 

Alencon and others, — 

{beseechingly to Charles) 
Send us, send us to Orleans! 

Charles, — 

(carried out of himself) 
She shall command ! 
The Maid shall lead! 
Jeanne, — 

The work will be hard j 
But God will help us. 
64 Ii xvi. 



Charles, — 

(resolutely) 
The captains and the men'^at/arms 
Attend you, the Church agrees; 
Go; lead them! 
La Hire's Squire and the Men^'at/'arms, — 
(flashing their swords) 
Away! On to Orleans! 
St, Michael, the Maid, and France I 
Lady Yoland, — 

(enthusiastically to Alencon) 
It will be done ! 
France shall live again! 

(The men^'at^arnis congratulate 
each other', numbers of them 
hasten away, The news passes 
to the throng without and the 
cheering and shouting of a great 
multitude is heard', drums, bells, 
and trumpets resound; people 
throng in and out, full of exciter 
ment, eager for war; the "Veni 
Creator Spiritus" forms a sub" 
dued undertone of song, at times 
rising with the excitement of the 
crowd, at times dying away to a 
faint rhythmic murmur. Atone 
side alone, Jeanne offers thanks 
to her Lord for deliverance from 
further opposition,) 
Charles, — 

(to an attendant squire) 
Bring in the sword, 

(Her prayer ended Jeanne turns 
to the captains who gather about 
her,) 
I, zvi. 65 



La Hire, — 

Praise God, now we can fight, 
Jeanne, — 

They have waited long ; at last 
God has taken pity on them. 
Where shall our force assemble ? 
Alencon, — 
At Tours; 

Men^at/arms and baggage. 
La Hire, — 

(agreeing) 
It is on the way, 

( There is great bustle and exciter 
ment of people coming and go >* 
ing, The ladies, and many of 
the priests and courtiers depart, 
while men'^at^arms become 
more numerous,) 
Vendome, — 

(fo Charles) 
Who shall be her marshall 
Who her squires? 
Charles, — 

(fo Alencon) 
Our cousin and nearest of blood, 
Alencon, shall be her chief^of^stafL 
Her knights and squires 
She herself may choose, 
Jeanne, — 

All who serve shall be my knights. 
My squires, if it please you. 
Shall be Bertrand and Jean de Metz 
Who came with me and have done me 
Such good service, 
Charles, — 

They are well worthy, 
66 1, xvl. 



(Bertrand and Jcdni bend low with 
gratitude.) 

Jeaxme, — 

That God may be fitly served 
Upon the field of battle, 
For chaplain and confessor 
I would have this good priest, 

{indicating Pasquerel) 
That he may go with the army, 
And each day gather the priests 
And those who have confessed 
About God's banner, 
To beseech Him for our safety, 
To sing His praise. 
To seek His wise direction* 

Charles. — 
'Tis well, 

(summoning Raymond and Louis 
de Contes) 
While at court 
These shall be your pages. 
In all things they shall wait on you* 

{They bow and acknowledge their 
service,) 
For steward and chief of your household, 
I give you my squire Jean D'Aulon, 
Until your wars are over* 

Jean D'Aulon, — 

I will serve right gladly. 

{Outside the tumult is increasing. 
The squire reenters with the 
sword. He kneels before 
Charles, The men-at-arms gath- 
er about them,) 
1, xvi. 67 



Charles, — 

{taking the sword) 
The priests of Fier bois 
Send you this sword, 
Marked with five sacred crosses. 
Found in St, Catherine's church, 
As you foretold, behind the altar* 
With it they send this scabbard 
Cloth of gold* 

Jeanne, — 

(with emotion) 
I shall care much for this sword 
Because it has been found 
In the church of Saint Catherine, 
Whom I love so welL 
It shall not be drawn 
Except against our enemies* 

(The men'^at^arms, with drawn 
swords, cheer her shouting, — 
*' On, on, march on!" ''Death to 
the English!" ''Down with Tal^ 
hot!" "Down Suffolk!" 
The squires buckle on Jeanne's 
armor, The "Veni Creator Spir^ 
it us" is taken up by the throng 
within. The spirit of war beats 
strong urging on to deeds of 
valor, They start toward the 
exit,) 
Jeanne, — 

(with uplifted sword) 
God doth lead us! 

On to Orleans; for Charles and France! 
{The song dominates all, To its 
surging movement, knights, and 
68 I, xvi 



squires, and archers, Jeanne with 

them, march away to Orleans 

and the war, singing, — 
V, 

'^ Drive far away our enemies f 
Give us peace in our domain} 
Guide us so that, following Thee, 
Free of evil we may dwell, 
VL 
"CiVe us to know, through Thee, 

Oh Lord, 
The Father and also the Holy Sonf 
Thee and the Holy Spirit, we 
Through all the ages well will 

trust/' 



1. xvi. 69 



ACT I, SCENE XVIL 

(Charles, La Trcmoille, Rheims, 
and de Boisy stand silently watch^ 
ing as the throng departs,) 

Charles, — 

{after the. excitement, sighing 
wearily) 
Now we shall have rest . , » , , 
And quietude , , . again/ 
La Trcmoille, — 

(bitterly) 
Thank God ; she has gone, 
dc Boisy, — 

A most unseemly maiden 
To so desire war. 
La Tremoille {cont), — 

A mess of serfs and priests 
Led by a sorceress. 

Rheims,— 

{shaking his head) 
I know not what will come of it j 
I hoped we might find peace, 
Charles, — 

{seating himself by the fireside) 
Peace, 

( The curtain 
falls slowly,) 



70 I, xvii. 



ENTREACTE 

A VIEW OF THE BATTLE OF ORLEANS, 

"Jeanne taking the Bastille des Tour nellcs," 
May 7, 1429. 

To the fight rear is discovered a tower 
upon the top of which are English soldiers f 
before the tower a moat, 

Cannon thunder continuously, Frona 
the left French men'^at'^arms swarm toward 
the tower bearing fagot^'bundles, pikes, and 
ladders, shooting arrows, hurling lances, 
climbing upward, 

The moat is filled^ yelling and scream*' 
ing, despite English pikes and arrows, the 
men-at-arms plant ladders and climb, sword 
in hand, up and over the rampart, 

Jeanne, clad in white armor, her bani* 
ner streaming, goes with them, 

Curtain, 



I, xvii. 71 



ACT IL 

The Transept of Rheims CathcdraL 




■■ TheCathEDRAl^^RhEIMS an 



To the right there is a great column 
beyond which is the passage to the body of 
the cathedral, 

To the left is a similar column beyond 
which is the passage to the chapels, 

To the rear are two columns connected 
by a bronze grille through which can be 

II. 73 



I 



seen the grille and columns on the opposite 
side of the transept. 

Beyond the first grille priests and al^ 
tar boys pass at intervals to and from the 
high altar, 

It is Monday, July 18. 1429, the day af^ 
ter the coronation of Charles VIL 



n 



ACT II, SCENE L 

{A lone monk {Loyseltur) is discov^ 
ered pacing to and fro restlessly. From 
the interior of the cathedral the monoto^' 
nous droning of distant preaching is heard, 
Enter two recruits,) 

First fecf uit, — 

We will ask yonder monk, 

(advancing to Loyseleur) 
Sir Monk, is the Maid at the service? 
We are come from Laon to join the 
war. Can we see her? 
Loyseleur, — 

(gruffly) 
I am a stranger here, 
(He turns away,) 
Second recruit, — 

{plucking his friend's sleeve) 
Waste no time on the monk, We have 
eyes; let us find the King, 
(They pass into the nave,) 
Loyseleur,— 

(startled) 
The King ! He said the King ! 



II, i, 75 



ACT II, SCENE IL 

{Enter de Boisy tripping over his 

sword.) 

de Boisy, — 

{to Loyseleur) 
He will come as soon as possible. 
He will meet you here, 
Loyseleur, — 

{perturbed) 
Is the Sorceress yonder? 

de Boisy, — 

(still adjusting his harness) 
She is at Mass with the King. 
Loyseleur, — 

( excitedly f grasping his arm ) 
King! Is he < , , , , / 
de Boisy, — 

( frigh tened, dra wing a way ) 
Yes, yes , , . , , 
Loyseleur, — 

{^dejected) 
Tis true then, 
de Boisy, — 

He was crowned yesterday; 
She did it alL 
Loyseleur, — 

She crowned him? 
de Boisy, — 

No. no I she didn't crown him, 
76 II, ii. 



Rheims crowned him — 
The Bishop, you know, 

Loyseleur, — 

{surprised, puzzled) 
Rheims! 

dc Boisy, — 

He couldn't help it; 
Couldn't anybody help it» 
She wouldn't let us wait, 

Loyseleur, — 

{sadly) 
Crowned; Charles crowned at Rheims, 

dc Boisy, — 

We've had an awful time; 
Hardly time enough to eat/ 
And no pleasures, none at all ; 
Why she had two hundred monks 
Lead the army and sing; 
Sang "Veni Creator Spiritus/' 
And "Non Nobis/' and the "Te Deum/' 
Sacred anthems, for war songs- 
She kept us marching, all the time, 
With those frightful monks singing, 

{hesitating, aghast) 
But you were not one of them 1 
(Loyseleur shakes his head,) 

de Boisy, — 

(relieved, recovering himself) 
Oh no, you've been away, 

{beginning anew) 
After she took Orleans 
We couldn't do anything. 
The army followed her all about. 
Like sheep, and prayed, 
When they didn't fight, 
II, ii. 77 



She wouldn't listen to us; 

But just kept going, the army too } 

And we had to follow her. 

It wasn't safe behind. 

After she took Talbot and Suffolk 

She kept on taking everything. 

Cities, and towns, and people — 

Just like a hungry peasant wench — 

I don't know how many 

English prisoners she has. 
Loyseleur, — 

Yes, yesf but the crowning? 
(ii3 hope) 

'Twas done improperly, in haste? 
dc Boisy, — 

Not so; most properly* 

She sent messengers ahead from Gien 

To Rheims and Saint Remy, 

Telling them to get ready. 

We thought we would be long atTroyes; 

She said 'twould yield within three days; 

And so it did ; in two. 

At Chalons they opened the gates to us 

But she would not stop. 

And here they came to meet us 

Crying "Noel, noel!" 

The church bells rang; 

The cannon sounded; 

We were very welcome. 

{stroking his stomach) 

I like this place. 
Loyseleur, — 

But the dauphin, the King; 

He was crowned, but not anointed? 
de Boisy, — 

Have you not heard ? 
78 II, ii. 



They brought the oil from Saint Remy 
With a strong guard, through all the 

people 
Packed close along the way, 
In its golden vessel, 

(Loyseleur is in despair,) 
There were musicians 
With hautboys and flutes, 
And children with flowers, 
And heralds, halberdiers, and magistrates, 
And marshals with staves. 
The Duke Alencon, bearing the sword. 
And the Bishop with the sceptre; 
Then nobles, and knights, 
And choristers with incense, 
Two bishops with the oil. 
The archbishops with the crucifix, 
And the Maid with her banner j 
After them came soldiers, 

(indicating ttie lengtli of the pro^ 
cession) 
And tradesmen, and clergy. 
The Scotch guard, and the people. 
It was a grand spectacle. 
The King came before the altar 
In all his armour, 

And the archbishop, and the bishops 
Stripped him of his state, to his shirt. 
And they anointed and consecrated him. 
With the oil and the sign of the cross 
On his head, his breast, his two should 

ders, 
His back, and upon both hands, 
As has always been the custom 
With our kings. And afterward 
The Bishop drew the King's sword 
II, iu 79 



From its sheath, 

{searching ineffectually for his 
sword) 

and blessed it, 
And girded it upon him; 
And they put on his armour and his 

spurs, 
And, when he was crowned, 
He engaged to maintain, defend, 
And protect his kingdom; 
And we Lords and the people 
Promised feahy and homage, 
Shouting "aye," 

Raising their hands and our swords; 
A hundred thousand throats 
Proclaimed him King* 
Then we sang the "Te Deum," 
And they fired cannon; 
And afterward we had banquets. 
With wine and spices; 
The first time since we left Chinon/ 

And 

Loyseleur, — 

(furtively) 
Listen ,,,,,,,, 

( They are both silent) 



80 11, ii. 



ACT II, SCENE IIL 

{Enter and meet two ragged peasantSf 
armed, and a squire, late deserted from the 
Burgundian army, All are low, and squat, 
and sturdy,) 

Squire, — 

(seeing their arms) 

Do you join the Maid ? 
First peasant, — 

{with determination) 

I drove four oxen to a plow 

Until the English ate them? 

My Lord demanded pay. 

I came to join. 
Squire, — 

( to the second peasant) 

And you? 
Second peasant, — 

My lady, lying in, my Lord 

Told me to beat the moat 

That the croaking frogs 

Should not disturb her sleep, 

I came away at night f 

This was his sword. 
Squire, — 

Tis well The peasant 

Was made to plow and reap, 

You have done so ; 

The noble was made 
II, ill. 61 



To fight and conquer; 

Being cowards they stay at home. 

They are hateful 

And treasonous to the kingdom, 

de Boisy, — 

{excited, starting toward him) 
But, but , , , we would fight , . , . 

Loyseleuf, — 

Be still 
Squire, — 

My Lord was a Burgundian i 

With the English 

He fights against our King. 

Many of us could not; 

We came to join the Maid, 

{Enter a cobbler with leather 
apron, bearing a sword.) 
Squire, — 

Cobbler, how came you here ? 

Cobbler,— 

{with enthusiasm) 

Who would sit at home 

When great events 

Are stirring in the land? 

My prentice lad was in Orleans ; 

At Patay he took an English knight. 
First peasant, — 

{awe^struck) 

A knight? 
Cobbler, — 

(nodding) 

A knight. 

Knights are not what they once were, 

Once knights were warriors* 

82 11, ni, 



This was a scrawny one he took, 
One with the pipps, 

First peasant, — 

(chuckling to himself) 
He was a chicken with the pipps. 

Squire, — 

Our knights are chicken/'hearted also. 
Except a few. 

Cobbler, — 

Like Richemont and La Hire* 

Second peasant, — 

( fo cobbler) 
Have you heard La Hire's prayer ? 

Squire, — 

No, tell us. 

First peasant, — 
Aye, tell us ! 

Cobbler, - - 

The Maid would have him pray 
Before each battle. 
At first he would not ; 
But one day he kneeled and said, — 
"I pray Thee, God, 
That Thou shalt do today 
As much for me 
As I would do for Thee 
Had I been God, 
And Thou hadst been La Hire/' 
(All laugh uproariously,) 
First peasant, — 

(going out) 
Ho Monk! 

Have you heard La Hire's prayer? 
II, nl 83 



Cobbler,— 

(laughing to himself) 
Had he been God ; 
Had he been God! 

All pass into the church. The 
sound of preaching ceases and 
singing IS heard, An acolyte 
and altar boys appear behind the 
screen and pass out to the left) 



64 n, Hi, 



ACT II, SCENE IV, 

Loyscleuf, — 

Are such allowed to cairy swords t 

de Boisy, — 

Since Orleans the townsmen, 
Even the peasants, carry swords. 
La Hire laughs at us. 

{fastening on his gown) 
You see, they took the tower. 
She urged them on to fight ; 
And now, since Patay, 
They rank themselves with us 

{swelling his chest) 
As knights. 

Loyselcur, — 
Or better. 

de Boisy, — 

(petulantly) 
So many of them have come 
From all parts unto the Maid, 
To serve her at their own expense, 
That we are become of little worth. 
The brutish clowns do not trust us; 
When we would lead a sally 
They laugh at us, most unbesecmly. 
They only fight behind a wall 
With. ...,,., .with guns. 

( The singing ceases, The priest 
intones tht Lavaho and the canon 
II, iv. S5 



of the Mass, The altar boys re/ 
turn with lighted candles,) 
dc Boisy (cont), — 

Now if they would rest a lance, 
And fight in the open as gentlemen, 
Or if they couid use swords, — 
For I can use my swoi^, — 

(finding at length his swordMlt 
and drawing the blade) 
But these vile common fellows 
With their guns, these greasy tinkers, 
Who kill you with cannon stones, — 
You don't know who does kill you 
The way they fight- 
I am no coward? 
(strutting) 
I am as brave, as brave, ,,,►,,# 



86 II, iv. 



ACT II SCENE V, 

(Enter La Tfcmoille*) 
La Trcmoille, — 

{to de Boisy brusquely) 
Go within; and let me know 
When the service ends, 
de Boisy, — 

(hesitating, putting by his sword) 
Ah, , , , but; ,,,.., 
La Tremoiile, — 

{severely) 
Go! At once, 
de Boisy, — 

{startled) 
Oh! Very well. 

(He hastens away, tripping over 

his scabbard, 
Bells sound within during the 
elevation of the Host and the 
Chalice, The intoning of the 
priest continues,) 



II, V. 87 



ACT II, SCENE VL 

La Tf cmoille, — 

{to the Monk) 
What news of Burgundy? 
Have the English sought his friendship? 

Loyseieur, — 

(shaking his head) 

Yonder all goes wrong. 
La Trcmoille, — 

( worried) 

What there also? 
Loyseieur, — 

The Duke of Bedford, angered 

At Burgundy's withdrawal from Orleans, 

Now attributes to him its loss; 

And every each succeeding battle 

Won by the sorceress 

Is laid in large to him. 

The English soldiers fear her, 

Would rather run than fight; 

And each day's dawn 

Sees new gaps in our army 

Through desertions to her standard. 
La Tremoiile, — 

(shaking his head) 

France is crazed about her. 

The tov/ns have yielded to us 

Willingly, swearing loyalty; 

No one will oppose her, 
88 11, VI. 



Loyselcuf, — 

Lord Burgundy at Arras sits in gloom? 
The English beg for reenforccmcnts 
And he cannot supply themi 
He cannot hold his own, 
A third part of our army 
Has deserted, the remainder 
Will not fight against her, 
La Tremoille, — 

(gloomily) 
It is the selfz-samc story, 

{The altar boys, their candles 
lighted, again appearand depart* 
Responses and the chanting of 
the Agnus Dei are heard.) 
Loyseleur, — 

And here the Dauphin crowned, 
Crowned; you could not hinder that? 
La Tremoille, — 

(fiercely) 
I could not stop her; 
The swarms of loathly commons 
Coming to her aid 

Together with the traitor Richemont/ 
With whom she has made peace, 
And young Alencon, have o'erwhelmed 
me, 
Loyseleur, — 

Richemont! 
La Tremoille, — 

He joined the Maid before Patay 
With all his forces, 
Resistless she has borne us 
On to Rheims to have him crowned 
As King, ,,,,,, 
II, vi, 89 



{bitterly) 

King! 

He is not, nor ever will be, Kin^l 
A puppet on the throne. 
Led first by Richemont, then by me, 
And now Isy yonder wench, 

{mystified) 
And he desired the crown. 
Through all his weakness, 
The doubt about his birth, 
There yet has held 
A secret longing to be King* 
Why, no one knows. 
He fears the wars; 

And shrinks before the cannon's roar, 
This morning, the first 
The crown has rested on his brow, 
He wished the wars were over, 
Told me he would the troops 
Could all withdraw to Nivernois 
Until the English, tiring, wended home, 

{scathingly) 
A dog, the commonest cur alive/ 
Would fight harder for a meatless bone 
Than he for all his kingdom , 
Were it not for the Maid, . , , , 

(angrily) 
The Maid 

Loyseleur, — 

You can do nothing? 

La Tremoille, — 

{shaking his head) 
She is King today; 
She rules supreme* 

90 II, vl. 



{Within a prayer sounds faintly, 
then responses and the bene^ 
diction at the end of the Mass,) 
La Tfcmoille (cont.), — 

I who was the sun have come to be 
A shadow on a sun^bright day; 
My power is gone, 



She seemed a country maidi 

I thought she might be used 

To help sustain Orleans; 

I little dreamed 

She would new^make our army, 

Revive the King's lost cause. 

Nor did I suppose the common herd, 

The worms beneath our feet, 

Could be made over into men. 

They have done deeds, 

Those low, black, beetle^brows, 

Would make their masters 

Stand aghast in horror. At Orleans, 

When they stormed the second tower, 

A myriad^egged mass they came — 

She and her streaming banner 

In the swarm's heart — 

Urged on, faggot^gorged the moat. 

And, some with ladders, 

Some without, climbed. 

On each other's heads and shoulders, 

On, and up, and over, down; 

And all the English thronged within 

Could not send stones nor arrows 

Fast enough to hinder them. 

They slaughtered all. 

{Faintly tlie recessional sounds 

II, vi, 91 



through the arches, growing 
gradually more insistent 

*'Veni Creator Spirit us, * 

Mentes tuorem visita, 

Itnple Superma gratia 

Quae Tu creastipectora/') 

La Tfcmoille (^cont), — 
And since Orleans 
Those same wild bectlc/'brows 
Will hear to no one save their queen. 
The devil with all his hosts 
Could not withstand her now, 

Loyseleur, — 

{shrinking) 
What will become of us. 

La Tremoille, — 

{shrugging) 
They never will be serfs again, 

(grimly calculating) 
Yet, , . . nothing is more helpless 
Than a swarm without its queen. 

(Through the grille^work appear 
the choirs boys and priests in 
procession, with candles and the 
crucifix, singing joyously, — 
"Tu Septiformis munere, 
Dextrae Dei Tu digitus, 
Tu rite promisso Pair is, 
Sermone ditas guttera.") 



*This the latin version of the **Veni Creator 
Spiritus" which appears in the first act, and which 
appears again in the last act, The same Gregorian 
music is used throughout. 

92 II, vi. 



La Tremoillc, — 

{bitterly) 
It is their battle hymn, 
The death/'knell of my power, 
IV, 

{"Accende lumen sensibus, 
Infunde aworem cordibus, 
Infirma nostri corporis 
Virtute firmans perpetL") 

La Tremoille, — 

(restlessly) 

The devil take that song. 

i^Hostem re pe lias longius, 
Pacemque dones protinus, 
Ductore sic Te praevio 
Vitemus omne noxiutn") 
La Tremoille {cont.), — 

Her day will end ; 

My time will come again. 

The Dauphin is crowned; 

Tis all he wished in life; 

He has it. 

He longs for rest now, 

And peace . . , , . 
(with disgust) 
....>.,.. peacef 
(turning to Loyseleur suddenly) 

What says Burgundy of peace? 

Loyseleur, — 

If the Witch is not stopped 
Within the year she will have 
Conquered all the kingdom. 
He would call a truce, for a time. 
Til the panic is overcome. 
He would have peace. 
II, vi, 93 



{presenting a paper) 
He has another plan, 

{The priests pass out of sight in 
the distance. The singing gr ad" 
ually dies away, 
VL 

*'Per Te sciamus, da, Patrem, 
Noscamus atque Filium, 
Te utriusque Spiritual 
Credamus omni tempore." ) 
La Tf cmoille, — 

What would he do? 
Loyseleur, — 

The English have put a price 
Upon her head! 
La Tremoille, — 

{coldly, reading the paper) 
Well 
Loyseleur, — 

Dead or alive! 
La Tremoille, — 

(impatiently, looking up) 
Well? 
Loyseleur, — 

( insin ua tingly) 
Something might be done} 
La Tremoille, — 

Nothing, nothing; 
She is too powerful* 
Loyseleur, — 

When she is with a weakened force, 
Or on a journey, separate from the army. 
La Tremoille, — 

They will not leave her, 
94 II, Ti. 



Loyselcuf, — 

Burgundy is in despair « 

If she be not seized 

You will not gain the dukedonif 

Else will not be chancellor* 
La Tremoille, — 

{crossed, vexed) 

Doubt not but that I will do 

All that can be done. 

But , * > , » the impossible , . » . * 
Loyseleur, — 

If Charles lose the witch 

His fortunes will decline; 

The army will fall apart? 

The peasant swarm 

Will crawl into its place again* 

He cannot lead. 

They come to join her. 

But now one came from Burgundy, 
La Tremoille, — 

(scheming, frowning) 

Something might , , . » , h^ done, 
Loyseleur, — 

Once the English find 

She is nothing but a cow/girl 

They will no longer fear. 

Work for a truce, a truce^ 

Until the panic ends 

And then ,,,,,. 

(de Boisy reenters,) 
La Tremoille, — 

{nodding) 

It may , « , , , be done. 



II, vi. 95 



ACT II. SCENE VIL 

de Boisy, — 

( defer en tially) 
The service is ended. 
La Tf emoiile, — 

(to Loyseleur) 
Wait for me. 

(La Tremoiile and de Boisy reenter 
the cathedral Loyscleur con^ 
ceals himself behind the column 
to the right,) 



96 Ilf vii, 



i 



ACT II, SCENE VIIL 

{Enter from the nave of the cathedral 
the recruits f peasants, citizens, and people 
With children, humming **Veni Creator 
Spiritus" in an exalted manner,) 

Cobbler, — 

I could not see the Maid« 
Second peasant, — 

Nor could wc« 
First peasant, — 

Will she come this way? 
Burgundian Squire, — 

I cannot telL 
Cobbler — 

Let us wait. 
Second recruit,— 

They came this way each time before. 

The King, and all his court, 

And the Maid, 

The other way is crowded. 
A Citizen, — 

(suddenly) 

Here comes Xaintrailles, and Lord VeOi* 
dome! 

First recruit, — 

( with bated breath) 
And La Hire! 
II, viii. 97 



{Midst suppressed excitement the 
name tuns murmuring through 
the group '*,,., La Hire » , , 
La Hire . . . ." 
A Citizen, — 

The gunner of Orleans, and Alencon! 
\The people all watch La Hire and 
the gunner, pointing at them 
whispering about them,) 



9B n, 



Vlll* 



ACT il SCENE IX, 



(Enter Xaintraillcs and Vendome /o/-' 
lowed by La Hire with Pierre le Cannonler 
and Alencon and numerous wen^at^armSf 
once peasants. Some of them are hum" 
ming the war song, Singly and in groups 
more people come from the cathedral, Many 
of them pass on out into the world. All ra^ 
diate Joy and triumph,) 

Vendome, — 

{to Alencon) 
Is Richemont coming? 
Alencon, — 

Yonder with Dunois, 

{Enter Richemont and Dunois,) 
Richemont, — 

{greeting them with evident please 
ure) 
A year ago I feared 
There was not in ail France 
One patriotic citizen; 
Now we vie in loyalty, 
La Hire, — 

A year ago I feared 
There was not in all France 
One brave man; 
Now no one seems afraid, 
IL ix. 99 



LofC. 



Alencon, — 

Patriotism and bravery 

Go hand in hand, who cares 

Will fight for his country. 

Dunois, — 

It has been a march of triumph, 
Orleans, Jargeau, Mcung, Patay, 
Auxerre, Troyes, Chalons, Rheims, 
Each a victory. Now for Paris! 

Men^atz-arms, — 

On to Paris! Long live France! 

Richemont, — 

Where is the Maid? 
What are her plans? 

La Hire, — 

She went to St, Catherine's chapeL 
She will return this way, 

Alencon, — 

( looking in to the nave) 
The King is coming. 
Knights and the people, — 
The King! The King! 
{All await him,) 



100 H» i3c. 



ACT II, SCENE X. 

{Enter the King, preceded by heralds 
and men^at'^arms, accompanied by La Tre^ 
moille, courtierSf minstrels, &c., followed by 
the Queen, Lady Yoland, and the court la" 
dies, 

The King anc/LaTfemoilie, join Riche/' 
mont. La Hire and Alencon, The heralds 
and the men^at'^arms await the King at the 
rear. Lady Yoland, the Queen, and the 
court ladies pass out of the church followed 
by many of the courtiers and people,) 

Richemont, — 

(greeting King ChaHcs) 
Once more France has an anointed 

King} 
May she through you be united. 
King Charles, — 

(preoccupied) 
Thanks Richement, 
Your men/'at^arms have helped us. 
We hope to keep your friendship, 
Richemont, — 

As long as Charles 
Shall stand for France, 

(La Tremoiile Irowns darkly,) 
King Charles, — 

(fo Alencon) 
Where is the Maid? 
II. X. 101 



Alcncon, — 

{Indicating the chapels) 

At her prayers* 
King Charles, — 

{still absorbed) 

Today we render thanks 

To God ,,.,,,, and man. 

She has had me crowned^ 

And anointed; 

She promised me I should be crownedj — 

God willed it soj — 

It has come most suddenly? 

It seems as yet unreal. 

I would reward her , , . somehow, 
{noticing the people) 

She is coming/ 



102 11, X. 



ACT II, SCENE XL 

(The people, looking to the left, bef 
coming excited, whisper, "the Maid" , , , , 
"the, Maid" , , , , , then break forth into 
joyful greeting.) 

The Bufgundian Squire, — 
Welcome to Jeanne 
The Maid of Orleans' 
La Hire's Squire, — 

Way for the Savior of France! 

(Followed by her pages, her 
knights, bearing the standard, 
her almoner (Pasquerel ); her 
father, and her uncle Jeanne en" 
ters from the chapels, She paus^ 
es a moment then, seeing the 
King, moves quickly to him,) 
The old women, — 

(as she passes) 
God's blessing on thee. 
Jeanne, — 

(with grateful tears of joy throw/ 
ing herself at the King's feet) 
O gentle King, 

Now is done the pleasure of God 
Whose will it was 
That you should come to Rheims 
To receive your crown 
II, xi. 103 



And the holy anointment, 

That all might know you are the King, 

And that to you is the Kingdom of 

France! 
God will help you govern his people? 
Fear not, for now thou art indeed 
Our most Christian Sovereign. 



■■'.. ;-- ' ..". ' ^ ' 'J''^^ ' ^ 




to (hdp 



Pa s^. ere I. 




Kn.jK 



■'S^-s» 



The Cathedral "^RhE)^ 




Lo^ 



King Charles, — 

{solemnly, assisting her to rise) 
Two months ago you begged us, 
At Chinon, to trust you. 
To let you lead the army to Orleans* 
You came to us unknown, 
An humble maiden, sent of God 
To have us crowned at Rheims, 
To conduct us to His altar; 
We doubted you; we were unworthy. 
You have led our conquering army, 
104 II. XI. 



I 



Saved Orleans, and taken Talbot captive} 
You have seen us crowned, anointed* 
Disaster stared us in the face; 
Our men-at-arms were few, disheart/ 

ened; 
Without you France had died; 
Through you she lives again. 

( The knights show their approval) 
We would reward you. 
Jeanne, — 

(seriously) 
'Tis God alone 
To whom the praise is due; 
I came not willingly; 
I was the tool within His hands, 
His mouthpiece. 
There can be no reward, 

{thinking of her home) 
Unless, as King, you would exempt 
The poor of Domremy 
Of taxes to the crown. 
Robbed by Burgundians and English 
They are most destitute, 
King Charlcs/ — 

It shall be done. 

(to the heralds) 
Proclaim it. 

(They go outside and proclaim 
the exemption,) 
Jeanne, — 

(gratefully) 
For them I thank you. 

(Jeanne's father and uncle at one side 
stand awe^struck, watching, un^ 
able to comprehend her exalted 

II. xl, 105 



position, Pasquef cl is with them* 
Throughout the act he, by his 
actions, expresses the feelings 
she must needs suppress,) 

King Charles, — 

And for yourself still nothing? 

Jeanne^ — 

{sighing, rising to one knee) 
Nothing more, 

King Charles, — 

Thou shalt at least be ennobled, 

{drawing his sword) 
In the name of God and Saint George, 
I, thy King, thus exalt thee, 

(striking her shoulder with the 

naked blade) 
Rise a noble, upon thy shield 
The fleur^de-'lis. thy brother knights, 
And thou of equal rank 
With even the best of France, 
Alencon, the knights, and the people, — 
Long live Jeanne the Maid! 
Long live Charles and France! 

Jeanne, — 

(sedately) 
Tis scarcely worthy 
One so humble be ennobled, 
Those who fought and died, 
God hath ennobled} those who live 
Shall soon be knights. 
I could not fight, 
I only bore God's banner. 
And urged them on, 
My brothers will be grateful, 

106 II, xi. 



( The knights press forward to coa^ 
gratuhte her. La Tfemoillc and 
the King move aside.) 
Vcndome, — 

As fellow knight we greet you. 

La Hire, — 

(his eyes twinkling) 
I would continue in your service, 
Sir Knight, 
Jeanne, — 

(smiling on him with staid good 
fellowship) 
You are too bold a knight, 
You take too many prisoners; 
I cannot feed them alL 
I would have gentler knights* 
Dunois, — 

Like Monsieur de Boisy, 
(general laughter) 

Jeanne, — 

(to Aiencon) 
And you v/ho were afraid 
Have come through without one hurt, 

Aiencon,— 

Had you not sent me from the fosse 

I had been killed, as was 

The Sire de Lude, a moment after, 

Jeanne, — 

(indulgently) 
Had i not promised 
To bring you back safe to her, 
And sound, the Duchess would not 
Have agreed to your coming, 
( turning to the gunner) 
U, xi, i07 



You must make many new machines. 
You fearful man, 
Each time your cannons thunder 
Death sends forth new harvesters* 

Pierre le Cannonier, — 
I shall build cannons 
Until all the English are destroyed, 

Jeanne, — 

{to Richemont) 
Ever will the day be blessed 
You joined your forces unto ours, 
And so brought victory, 

Richemont, — 

(approaching her) 
Your strength of soul 
Purified the army, 
Put purpose in our cause, 
Increased our power tenfold, 
When the wars arc over 
And each English soldier 
Is driven from our soil, 
When, in united France 
Peace reigns again, 

About the hearth in groups we'll draw, 
And each with swelling heart 
Will tell how, following you, 
We rode the English down 
And took ten hundred hundred 
At Patay, 

{The knights and people cheer 
him uproariously.) 

Alencon,-- 

Minstrels will sing 
The battle of Orleans! 
108 II, XI. 



La Hire, — 

Coward knights who sit at home, 
And those who fight with Burgundy, 
Will hide their heads, ashamed. 
At mention of your name* 

(La Tremoille flinches, coldly 
watching.) 

Jeanne, — 

{denying the praise) 

I served but as your guide? 

"Without you nothing had been done; 

Without God we had all been helpless^ 
{The King watching the group 
about Jeanne, listening to their 
praise, is piqued, La Tremoille 
urges on his jealousy. 
Some of the courtiers, looking in*' 
to the cathedral, point and whis^ 
per ,,.,.., . "Talbot" . . ,. 
"Talbot and the guard," The 
courtiers give way to the rear* 
The people are restless, some^' 
what afraid,) 



II, xi 109 



ACT II, SCENE XIL 

{Enter Talbot, Suffolk, and English soU 
diets prisoners, in chains, guarded, fol*' 
lowed by various citizens. 

The keepers stop and salute the King, 
The English soldiers shrink from Jeanne 
in fear,) 

Alencon, — 

My Lord Talbot, you did not think 
You would be taken prisoner? 
Talbot,— 

{shaking his head) 
Up today, down tomorrow i 
It is the fortune of war, 
Suffolk — 

{sternly, bitterly, looking at 
Jeanne) 
Our turn will come, again, 
King Charles, — 

{as they move onward) 
Guard them well, 

{Many of the people follow them 
away>) 
Jeanne, — 

{looking after them) 
Talbot and Lord Suffolk, 
You feared them once; 
{sorrowfully) 
110 II, xiu 



They are more cause for pity nowj 
Yet they were fiercest of them alL 

(to the King) 
Pray use them kindly, 
King Charles, — 

They will be ransomed soon* 

Each will bring ten thousand crowns 

Into our empty treasury/ 

(Rheims enters quietly and joins 
La Tremoille) 



I 



I 



I 



It Xnl itt 



ACT II, SCENE XIIL 

{Herald's^ trumpets sound without, 
enter a messenger,) 

Messenger, — 

{to Jeanne, on bended knee) 
News from the North, from the good 
people of Compiegne, 
Jeanne, — 

{directing him) 
Your message is for the King. 
(Charles is pleased.) 
The Knights, — 

(fo 0i2c another in astonishment) 
The King, The King? 

Jeanne, — 

{quietly) 
The King is crowned; 
My mission at an end, 

(Rheims/ La Tremoillc and Loysc^ 
leur behind the column listen 
eagerly* Pasquerei moves to^ 
ward her,) 
Alcncon and others, — 
{aghast) 
At an end! 

La Hire, — 

( earnestly) 
You will lead no more? 
U2 II,xiii. 



Jeannef — 

{speaking as of things compassed) 
* was sent to save Orleans 
And cfown the King at Rheims* 
That has been done ; 
I have no further work, 

(All gather close around her.) 
Richemont, — 

Aye, that is accomplished; 
But what of Paris? 
Vendcme, — 

What of Burgundy? 
Alencon. — 

Who will direct our battles? 

(Jeanne hesitates, looking from 
one to the other, knowing not 
how to answer them.) 
Xaintrailles, — 

How can we do without you? 
Jeanne, — 

(groping, uncertain) 
I know not ; 
I ,....., . 

{She pauses bewildered,) 
La Hire, — 

What do the voices say? 
Jeanne, — 

The Voices ,*.,.,. 

{startled, as though listening) 

. . » . , the Voices! 
{All await her answer.) 
I , , . , I have not heard them, 
Not since the crowning ! 

{Her eyes grow large and fearful 
as she begins to realize her loss,) 
II. xiii. 113 



They are gone f , , . . . gone. 
La Hire and the KnightSf — 
(anxiously) 

Gone? 
Rhcims, — 

Your counsel has gone ? 

Alencon, — 

The Voice has left you ? 

(La Tremoiile and Loyseleur can 
scarce contain their joy.) 
Jeanne, — 

( with yearning heart) 
Saturday* at Vespers, I heard them } 
And, at the crownings they spoke 
Saying, — "God's will is done; 
The King has come into his kingdom/' 

{all forlornly) 
Since then no voice has come, 

Alencon and La Hire, — 
No Voice has come? 
Jeanne, — 

( s till be wilder ed ) 
They always bade me save Orleans 
And lead the King to his anointing. 
Further they never urged me. 
Now they are gone, 

( thinking backward, gradually re^ 
membering) 
They told me 
After Rheims I should go home* 

(Pasquerel nods his head in assent) 

La Tremoille, — 

{startled, aroused) 
Go home ! 
114 II, xiii. 



Alencon, — 

It cannot he. 
La Hire, — 

We would not lose you, 

Jeanne, — 

(with piquant desire and longing) 
They said I should go home. 
My commandment is fulfilled. 
The battles are won; 
The King is crowned? 
The people are united, 
No longer doth God point 
The way for me, I am no more 
The sword within His hand, 

( turning to them with some of the 
old exaltation) 
Yet for you the way is marked? 
March on! Lay sisige to Paris! 
Bring Burgundy to your feet! 
Establish the crown? bring peace, 
Drive, drive the English from the land, 
God will ever lead and aid you? 
The King is crowned? march on! 

{The exaltation over she is again 
sad,) 
La Hire's Squire and others, — 

(cheering) 
To Paris! Saint Michael 
And the French! On, on! 

Alencon, — 

(beseeching her) 
Jeanne, Jeanne? 
You must not leave us now. 
La Tremoillc/ — 

{insist^tly, to the King) 
II, xiii. 115 



She cannot go« 

Jeanne, — 

{shaking her head) 
My task is over* 

{quietly, yet tremulously) 
Beneath the stars at night, 
On the field of battle, 
Among the dead/ alone with God, 
I have stood and wept 
As when I was a child* 
{AH listen silently,) 
We have suffered in our villages; 
The fields and houses have been burned f 
The herds been driven awayi 
We have borne suffering, and starvation. 
But not / , , , , death, 
While the battle rages, 
When fury blinds us. 
Life seems of little worth, 
Death matters not} 
But/ when the day is over 
And we return. 
In heaps they lie 
So strangely hushed 
In the twilight dusk. 
Dead, , , , , , unconfessed* 

(in tears) 
Foes are no longer foes, then, 
Nor friends friends; 
All are only sad silent forms; 
Once they were alive, 

(brushing the tears away) 
Why don't they go away; 
Why must we cut them down. 

116 II Jfti'i. 



I 



(La Hire and the knights are deep^ 
ly moved. She turns to the 
KingO 
My work is ended. 
I have fulfilled God's commands. 
Would it might please my God, 
And my Kingjthat I abandon arms, 
Return to serve my father 
And my mother, to tend their sheep- 
Would I, returning home, 
Might rejoice my sister 
And my brothers. 

iShe turns aside. La Hire, Richc/' 
mont, and Pierre acquiescing in 
her departure gather about her 
to say farewell La Tremoille, 
Alencon and Dunois hasten to 
the King,) 
La Tremoille, — 

(^anxiously) 
Do not let her go, my Lord, 

(Alencon and the others beseech 
the King to keep her, He stands 
in doubt much flattered by the 
deference shown him,) 
Jeanne, — 

(moving to the King) 
I pray you grant me leave to go* 
King Charles, — 

(well pleased) 
As you will; 
Your wish rules today* 
Jeanne, — 

{gratefully) 
It is my one desire. 
U, xiii. 117 



(passing to ber father and uncle) 
I am done with the great wars now; 
You will take me home with you^ 
And I will help you / » , , as of old. 

( With Pasquerel and many of the 
people they pass out to the left) 
Loyseleuff — 

{aside, greatly excited) 
If she goes home we lose her j 
Our cause will fail! 

(La Tremoille whispering urges 
on Alencon and Dunois the dire 
necessity of keeping Jeanne with 
the army.) 



U5 II, tuL 



i 



ACT II, SCENE XIV, 

King Charles, — 

( turning to the messenger) 
Let us have the news from Compiegne, 
Messenger, — 

( on bended knee proffering a doc^ 
ument) 
Sire, the loyal people of 
Compicgne .*.,,, 
Alencon, — 

(breaking in) 
My Lord, we cannot spare the Maid* 
Vendome, — 

She must not desert us now} 
After Paris * , * , , 
La Tremoille, — 

Though no longer led of God, 
She yet should stay; the army , , , , 
La Hire, — 

{angry) 
Are we a lot of cowards, 
Or are we men? 
Each time I've seen the Maid, 
Midst the an^ows, so slight, 
So frail, race to the front. 
Her banner streaming in the wind, 
I've felt as if, should harm befall her, 
My soul would roast in Hell always. 
Praise God no harm has come. 
II, xiv, 119 



Xaintrailles and Pieffc, — 
Praise God, 

La Tremoille, — 

(suavely) 

She need not lead the charges, 
Dunois, — 

The soldiers will not fight 

Without her. 
La Hire, — 

(turning on them) 

She wishes to go home; 

That is enough, 

In weeks she has accomplished 

What we could not do in years, 

Her desire should be our law, 

Richemont, — 

(earnestly, to the King,) 
Tis all the favor she has asked; 
And you have granted it. 
What Jeanne has done will last. 
She taught us to use artillery, 
She put the commons in our ranks, 
Showed us our strength, 
Made us a conscious nation. 
If France with an anointed King, 
With battles won, cannot survive, 
Death should be her due, 

Xaintrailles, — 

As long as France shall he. 

No soldier dares the taunt 

He fears to fight 

Whom once the Maid caused flee; 

From Jeanne the lesson's home 

That only craven men are overcome, 

120 II, xiv. 



(The King listens, undecided, wav^ 
ering.) 
Picrf e le Cannonier, — 

Who is right and trusts in God, 
And fights, will win his right/ 
Alencon, — 

(still fearful) 
And yet; and yet . , , * 
Xaintrailles, — 

(with vigor) 
If I but ride afront and cry, — 
"For Jeanne the Maid, and France!" 
My men will follow me 
Though the English stand 
As thick as corn for harvest! 
Dunois, — 

Yet, should we meet with one disaster, 
They would fear the English 
As before she came, 

La Hire, — 

It will not be. 

We may be craven knights 

But not they. 

{shaking his head) 
If ever there were bravery 

»In man there is today 
Among my men such valor 
As shall sweep France free 
Of every enemy. 

Xaintrailles, and others, — 

And so in mine! and mine! 
La Hire, — 

We who love the Maid would rather 

She were safe at home. 

II, xiv. 121 



La Hire's Squire, — 

She shall never be forgotten^ 

Each time we see the fleur^'de/'lis 

We will fight the harder, 
King Charles, — 

{to Rheims) 

What shall we do? 
Rheims, — 

(anxious to be rid of her) 

It is perhaps the wisest way 

To allow her to go back to her village* 
La Tremoille, — 

(restlessly, resourceful) 

The English hate her? 

Some harm might befall her there. 

She would be safer here at court* 
La Hire, — 

{stormily) 

She hates the court* 
Xaintrailles, — 

A wild bird caged, a deer enclosed 

Would not be more unhappy* 
Richemont, — 

She has led us through the night 

Of civil strife. 

Has marked a path for our guidance* 

Who cares for liberty, justice, 

Freedom, France 

Will follow on the way. 

United France has not yet 

Been conquered; nor shall be! 

While there are patriots in France 

France shall survive! 

{The knights and the men^at/arms 
cheer him,) 
122 II, xiv, 



La Tfcmoille, — 

(bitterly, fearing defeat) 
Who are you to talk of patriotism? 
Richemont, — 
A patriot/ 
La Tremoillc, — 
A traitor, 

{Both half draw their swords. La 
Hire and Rhcims intervene.) 

King Charles, — 

Peace, put up your swords. 
We will consult with her, 

(Alencon hastens away to find 
Jeanne, La Tre mo ill e leads 
Rheims aside and talks to him 
excitedly, forcibly, urging his 
assistance. La Hire paces to 
and fro restlessly. ) 



I 



Il,dv. 123 



ACT II SCENE XV. 

{Reenter Alencon with Jeanne and Pas^ 
quereL Jeanne comes seriously, almost 
sadly, as If foreseeing her destiny. La Tf c** 
moille smiles well pleased with his machi'' 
nations, Laxaft and Father D'Arc appear 
timidly at one side awaiting Jeanne,} 




tc tVopelt 



♦ 



• L» Wire ^* So-xno.. 







The C/^thc3«al-Pheims ''^*''-'"' 



King Charles, — 

(fo Jeanne) 
The knights would have you stay; 
They fear that without you 
They will meet defeat. 

124 II, XV. 



Jeanne, — 

( wistfully earnest) 
They should not fear, 
What God has promised, 
You shall obtain; 

What He has given, you shall hold' 
The kingdom shall all be thine; 
There can be no other way, 

Alencon, — 

(anxiously) 
There is much fighting to be done; 
You must stay, and lead us. 

La Tremoille,— 

Or at least lend us your counsel 
La Hire, — 

(as a baited bull) 

Counsel! When did you begin 

To seek her counsel? 
Jeanne, — 

(ttistfully) 

God advises me no morei 

I am no longer chosen, 

The Voices told me 

I should go home. 
La Hirc/ — 

{suffering) 

Let her return; 

She has done enough, 

Dunois, — 

(fo Jeanne) 
You need not lead. 
If the men-^at^arms but know 
You are still with us 
They will be brave, 
II, XV. 125 



Alencon, — 

If you go home they will turn coward; 

They will not trust nor follow us 

Unless you arc about, 
Xaintrailles, — 

{with determination) 

My men will fight, 

Richemont, — 

And mine as long as there are 
English to oppose us, 

Pierre le Cannonier, — 
We arc not afraid, 

(Jeanne wistfully smiles her ap" 
provaL Pasquerel follows every 
argument restlessly) 
La Tremoille^ — 

It is her counsel we need 
Most of all, her wise direction. 

La Hire, — 

(^scathingly) 
Her wise direction, 
Rheims, — 

(fo Jeanne) 
You need not go to the front, 
Not see the wounded and the dead; 
Your banner can go 
While you remain in safety 
With the King, 

( The knights are surprised at his 
change of front,) 

La Hire, — 

{fearing a hidden plot) 
What do you want? 
What have you planned, you two? 
126 II, XV, 



You the holy hypocrite, 
And you the feigning tf aitof * 
Everything she has attempted 
You have crossed, 
Opposed each step, and opposed. 
Til now, now her Voice is gone, 
Now she can no longer lead, 
You would have her stay, 
Stay in your power* 

^ (passionately) 

m If any harm come to her 

I'll gibbet you, 

Richemont and Xaintrailles, — 
{also wroth) 
And I; and II 

(La Tremoillc shrinks before them,) 

Rheims, — 

( abjectly obseq tsio us) 
We would not injure herj 
We seek her safety, 
Something might befall her there, 

Jeanne, — 

(quietly) 
I am not afraid of death. 
Here nor there- If need were 
We all would die for France} 
But my task is ended^ 
The men will fight without me; 
My duty lies at home. 

La Hire, — 

(to Charles) 
There is no reason 
She should stay at court. 
Let her return, 

I!, XV, 127 



Richcmont, — 

We do not need her. 

King Charles, — 

(shrinking from La Hire's anger) 
If there is no need ,,,,,, 

La Tremoille, — 

(thrusting himself close to the 
King) 
The English will not fear us 
Unless she is with us* 
They will come again. 

Alencon, — 

(hurriedly) 
Tis she not us they fear* 
Did you not note how the English arch/* 

ers, 
Shrank from her and crossed themselves? 

La Hire, — 

{furiously lashing them) 

Cowards! Are you all cowards, 

No man amongst you? 
Vendome, — 

Send her home, 

Dunols, — 

If they learn she has gone 
They will say God has left us. 
They will revive and fight 
As they never fought befof e, 
Seeking revenge, 

King Charles, — 

(restless, fearful) 
What shall we do; 
What shall we do , , . • , , 

128 11, XV. 



Rhclms, — 

._ (to Jeanne^ patronizingly) 

" Though God's counsel has gone from 
you, 
It must not be found out, 

(Hundreds of the enemy 
Have deserted in fear of you; 
We must yet deceive them. 
Our men^at/'arms believe 
God still speaks through you/ 
^ Tis best we leave them their belief 
■ Until the wars are over. 
You must not go away, 
Jeanne, — 

{intensely) 
Think you God cares 
So little for His Kingdom 
He must support it with a lie? 
Think you, if I should die, 
The cause would fail? 

(shaking her head sorrowfully) 
How little you trust in the Lord, 
Rheims, — 

(hurriedly) 
No no, no no; 

God is all'-wise, all-powerful,' 
He can do as He wilL 
But we are mortal and must use 

»What comes to hand. It is not truth; 
God knows, and we know. 
But for the time 'tis bestf 
For a time, 

(Jeanne is too grieved to speak) 
Alcncon, — 

(pleading) 
For a short time only, 
II. XT. 129 



I 



King Charles, — 

You will stay? 
Pasqucfel, 

(kneeling to her, unable to keep 
silent) 
Jeanne, Jeanne} 
Remember the warning, 
The year will end ; 
The year will end. 

Jeanne, — 

(wavering, despondent) 
I know; , . . , I know , . , , , 

(Bewildered she moves a step for** 

ward touching his shoulder 

with her hand,) 

Jeanne, — 

( thinking aloud) 
Up to this time I have lived 
Only for this one thing; 
How can ! not do 
What must yet be done, 

(She moves forward away from 
him, Alencon makes as il to 
follow her but Dunois stops 
him,) 

La Hire, — 

{bitterly to Charles, Rheims and 
La Tremoille.) 
Of all the curs on earth 
You are most vile! 
You dare not fight 
Yet seek safety in her shelter. 
Richemont, — 

What is a kingdom worth 
Whose whole support is one lone Maid? 
130 II, XV, 



( They cringe but answer not ) 

Jeanne {cont), — 

{with down^clasped hands, looking 
above) 
Father, let Thy will be shown in me, 

{In silence she waits, looking ap^ 
ward, The knights and the 
King in longing suspense, some 
despairing, some hopeful, watch 
her. Alter a time she bends 
her head whispering tremulous^ 

ly,- 
As the grain of wheat must perish 
For the fruit to grow, 
So I must lose my life 
That France may live again, 

Then she turns, — her eyes are 
large and strange, — and looks 
La Trcmoille through and 
through, He shrinks before her, 
Pasquerel, rising, turns away to 
hide his grief.) 
Alencon,— 

{hastening toward her, anxiously) 
What is it that you fear? 

Jeanne, — 

{shivering as if chilled) 
Nothing; , , , . . nothing/ 

( whispering) 
Here are those would have me dead. 
All about me treachery; 
,,,,,,, the Voices gone, 
Alencon, -- 

What is it that you fear} 
We are all your friendsi 
IL XV. 131 



Jeanne — , 

( s ubmissively) 
Nothing? , , , , , nothing, 

( crossing herself ) 
The King's orders must be obeyed; 
We are his subjects alL 

(La Hire and the knights are sad 
almost to fears/ La Tremoille and 
Loyseleuf , show suppressed joy 
and triumph.) 
King Charles, — 

{moving to Jeanne^ taking her 
hand) 
We will care for you* 
You shall remain with us? 
We will keep every danger from you. 
(Jeanne turns to La Hire, Richc*' 
mont hastens to the King.) 
Richemont, — 

Don't be a coward j 
Send her home, 
La Tremoille, — 

( triumphantly, malignan tly) 
Too late; she stays! 

{He leads the King aside.) 
La Hire, — 

{taking Jeanne's hands, his great 
heart bleeding) 
We would rather you had gone home, 
(Jeanne smiles her thanks wist'' 
fully at him, then moves to her 
father and uncle, Pasqucrel foU 
lows her, In sorrow the knights 
await her, La Tremoille con>^ 
tinues whispering to the King,} 

132 IL XV. 



I 



ACT II, SCENE XVL 

Jeanne, — 

{restraining her tears) 
Farewell, my father; 
Uncle, ,,,,,, good bye* 
Ofttimes I have crossed you 
, , , , , forgive me. 
Her father, — 

(in tears) 
My child; my child. 
Jeanne, — 

If I return no more, 

Remember that I serve our King, 

t , , » and God* 

Ask my mother to pray for me, 

In the chapel , , . # at home. 

Farewell 

{Her father is speechless} 
Her uncle, — 

God and this good priest 
Will care for you. Good byc# 

( They bless her and depart sadly 
and slowly,) 



II, xvi, 133 



ACT II, SCENE XVIL 

Jeanne, — 

(returning to the King) 
I pray you 

Make good use of my time 
For I shall hardly last a year; 
Use me while you may. 

(beseechingly) 
Do not hesitate and linger, 
But urge on . . * / . urge on , , - , 
You who are the King of France. 
To whom God trusts His kingdom. 
Do even as He hath urged; 
Drive, drive the English out of France; 
Bring peace unto the land. 
Urge on , , . . urge on, 
The time is all too short; 
Paris yonder waits you. 

King Charles, — 

(shrinking from the responsibility) 
The men are tired j 
Let us rest a time, 

Jeanne, — 

Pray send us on to Paris, 

Bid us begin the siege and 

in twenty days it will be thine, 

Xaintraiiles and others, — 
Let us lay siege to Paris! 
134 n, xvii 



La Trcmoillc, — 

(fearing jtannt will again take the 
lead) 
But the way bristles 
With English strongholds, 

Alencon, — 

So did ouf way to Rhcims. 

Xaintf ailles and others, — 

{with enthusiasm) 
To Chalons! To Orleans! 

RhcimSf — 

{excited, forgetting himself) 
Would it be policy 
To move on Paris abruptly? 
, , , , , not abruptly, 
Without waiting for an answer 
From the Duke of Burgundy? 

Jeanne and the Knights, — 
(astounded) 
An answer from the Duke of Burgundy! 

Rheims, — 

(suavely, trying to smooth it over) 
We have every hope 
To make a peaceful treaty with him 
And so end all the war, peacefully. 
La Hire, — 

(furiously storming) 
Gods, you pests, you devils! 
Would you sell us to Burgundy! 
Xaintrailles, — 

We want no peace j 
But war, war, war! 

( The knights, angry, second him 
shou ting, — " War, war, ") 
II, xvii. 135 



Dunois, — 

We cannot treat with Burgundy, 

Richcmont, — 

Have you not learned 

You cannot make war with words? 

Rhcims, — 

(putting up his hands) 
Not, not war. We would avoid war, 
We seek peace, 

Jeanne, — 

{to the King and Rheims, sadly, 
bitterly) 
In times of peace, seek peace { 
In times of war 
Tis best to be a warrior. 
Peace will be found 
Only at the cannon's mouth, 

Alencon, — 

All the ills of France 
Have come through Burgundy; 
Yet you would wait on him, 
Would trust him* 

Dunois,— 

(with spirit) 
Show him our power; 
Teach him his duty to the King; 
Then he will be loyal, 
He and all his traitorous followers, 

Xaintrailles and the knights, — 
It is the way! It is the way! 

Jeanne, — 

We must not wait^ 
While they yet fear us, 
136 II. xril 



While they mistrust each other, 
While our power grows. 
We must sweep down on Paris- 
(Loyseleur is in agony,) 

The Knights, — 

On to Paris I on to Paris! 
It is the only way! 

Richemont, — 

Paris taken, the English gone; 

France free, then 

Treat with traitorous Burgundy, 

King Charles,— 

{overwhelmed, about to agree) 
As you will; I cannot , , , . 

(The knights, enthusiastic, are 
about to depart,) 

La Tremoillc, — 

(craftily) 
But what of Compicgne? 
{All hesitate,) 

Rheims, — 

{nodding his head) 
Aye, what of Compiegne? 

( The knights return angry, crossed, 
outwitted,) 

Alencon, — 

Where is the messenger? 

Dunois, — 

Yonder, Send for him, 

(La Hire's squire departs toward 
the chapels,) 
II, xvii. 137 



La Hire, — 

(to LaTfcmoille) 
What do you want you beast! 
I'll hang you, 
What would you do? 

(La Tremoille smiles sardonically 
moving away from him.) 



138 n, rvi 



ACT II, SCENE XVIIL 

( The messenger, entering and coming 
forward would address Jeanne, She refers 
him to the King.) 

Messenger, — 

{to Charles) 
Your loyal town of Compiegne hemmed 
in by the Burgundians, who threaten 
all the people, even the women and 
children, with the sword unless with^ 
in the month the town is rendered 
unto them, send to the Maid begging 
deliverence from the hated foe. Our 
force is small and sickness thins our 
ranks* 

King Charles, — 

( to Jeanne) 
What shall we do? 
Jeanne^ — 

(resignedly) 
We must relieve them, 

(La Trcmoille nods craftily, well 
pleased. Loyseleur breathes free.) 

Alencon, — 

And give up Paris? 

La Hire and others, — 
Never; nol 

li. iviii. 139 



Danois, — 

Soissons is fficndiyj 

Let Alencon and La Hire fclicvc Com*' 

piegne, 
Passing Soissons on the way; 
While we move west on Crcspy, 
Senlis, and Meaux> 
Our separate missions ended 
We will all meet at St- Denis, 
Beneath the walls of Paris* 

La Hire, — 

Tis well planned. 

We will beat back Burgundy 

And join you 

Before the month can end, 

Dunois, — 

(fo Jeanne) 
Will you stay with the King; 
Or will you join us ? 

Jeanne, — 

(with little interest) 
I will go with Alencon and La Hire 
To the North, 

(fo the King) 

if I may* 

King Charles, — 

{agreeing to her request) 
We will remain at Rheims 
Until you are united at St, Denis. 
Farewell 

(Richemont, Dunois, Xaintraillcs, 
La Hire, Alencon, and Jeanne c?e^ 
part. The King and Courtiers 
follow them more leisurely,) 
140 II, xviii. 



King Charles, — 

{greatly relieved) 
'Tis ended I we may rest now, 

(sighing) 
If Burgundy would only give us peace, 
Rheims, — 

He is well inclined, 

I trust we can gain his friendship, 

{They pass out slowly to the left) 



11, xviii. i4i 



i 

ACT II, SCENE XIX. 

{As the King and courtiers are depart'* 
ing La Tremoille hastens to the monk Loy/ 

selcuf.) 

La Tremoille, — 

Away, away! Tell Burgundy 

When first She happens 

With a weakened force 

We'll send him word to seize her, 

Give him their battle plans; 

Away; away! 

{Both go out h urriedly, exult an t, ) 

Curtain, 



141 11. 



ACT IIL 

A Room in the Castle of Rouen, 





' Aao*«,H THr<r«jri.t orffowcw. | 

To the left there is a judge's tribunal, 
on either side of it a double row of judge's 
seats} to the rear like seats reach across the 
room. 

To the right there is a single row of 
seats, before which appears a long table 
with a bench'^seat for the notaries, In front 
of the table there is a stool for Massieu the 
prison keeper, 

At the left, left rear, and right are en^^ 
trances. There is also a private entrance 
directly behind the tribunal. 

High up in the wall to the right there 
is a window through which a ray of bright 
sunshine streams making a great white 
spot near the center of the dismal room. 

It is Wednesday, May 30, 1431, 

III. 143 



ACT III, SCENE L 

{Secretaries Manchon and Colics enter 
and go to their table at the right laying 
down their portfolios,) 

Colics, — 

{speaking cautiously) 
What think you; will she die? 

Manchon, — 

{sadly f nodding) 
If it can be done \ . , , 4 , today. 
They are even now preparing the stake 
And the fire, 
Colles, — 

{in horror) 
Before the trial is ended? 
Manchon, — 

They mean to make an end today, 
The English will not be denied. 
Colics,— 

{sorrowfully) 
The Jews in their anger 'gainst the Christ 
Were not more thirsty 
For the blood of the innocent, 
Manchon, — 

Because she has resumed the dress 
She will be published heretic and burned. 
{Both are tearfully silent for a 
time,) 
144 III. I 



Manchon, — 

{with sore determination) 
_ When I can I am going South 
I To Join La Hire and urge the men^at/ 
arms 
Against the English beasts. 

Colles, — 

(resolutely) 
And If I also »,»»,»*., 

( Outside a noise is heard f he hesit* 

tates, listening, 
The door to the right opensf both 
bend over their papers. Enter 
brothers Ysambafd and Pasquet*' 
cl.) 



Ill, I 145 



ACT III SCENE IL 

Ysambard, — 

{somberly, on entering) 
This is the room, 

{to Colles and Manchon) 
A friend from France, 
Our brother, PasquereL 

Manchon, — 

{greeting him) 
From France? What news of war? 

Colles,— 

What news} tell us, what news? 

Pasquerel, — 
All is quiet« 

In the South the Loire, the Yonne, 
And the upper Seine valleys 
Arc well sown with grain? 
The people thrive once more, 
Saving, * . , waiting. 
Every peasant learns the art of war« 
Each night they meet 
And practice with their arms, 
"For France and the Maid" their cry, 

Colles, — 

{carried out of himself) 
'Tor France and the Maid!" 

{Frightened, he becomes suddenly 
silent,) 

146 III, ii. 



Pasqucfel, — 

{with caution) 
The King stays close at Bouf ges 
Feasted and petted by Tfemoille, 
Indolent, reckless of the kingdom, 

Manchon, — 

Wfterly) 

One day Tremoille will be hanged. 
Pasquerel, — 

La Hire is in Normandy, 

Richemont near Par is, 

Xaintf ailles between the two, 

Helping both, 
Manchon, — 

His bold attempt to reach here 

And rescue the Maid hastened the end. 

There seems no safety for the English 

While she liveS/ 
CoUes, — 

They took the baby English King 

To Pontois for safety, 
Pasquerel, — 

(anxiously, to Manchon) 

She is well? 

(Manchon and Colles are silent) 
Ysambard, — 

She is better now, 

Better than she was, 
Pasquerel, — 

Thank God that she is welL 
Manchon, — 

( after a silence) 

Where is our Lord Vendome? 
Pasquerel, — 

Still opposing Burgundy. 
Ill, ii. 147 



Manchon, — 

It was hcf prophecy Compiegne 
Would be relieved through him 
That made the English buy her, 

Colles, — 

And so it wasi it was, 

Manchon (cont,) — 

They laid it to her spells 

It was relieved, 

Then Couchon paid the gold for her, — 

Four hundred thousand franks, 

Ysambard, — 

A King's ransom. 

Pasqucrel, — 

I was with her when first she went 

To Compiegne from Rheims, 

And then when, after Paris, 

She went the second time. 

She loved these people, 

I saw her taken captive. 
Colics, — 

You were there? 
Pasquerel, — 

The King had ordered her away from 
Paris 

When it was about to yield. 

She would not go, 
' They turned her horse's head 

And forced her homeward; 

And led her back to Bourges, 
Manchon, — 

(so trow fully) 

The King! the King 

Who will not fight, 
146 III, n. 



Pasqucfel, — 

It is Tf emoillc/ 

We were there, doing nothing, 

When news came that Burgundy 

Was pressing hard on Compiegnc* 

She could not hesitate. 

A few of us left the court 

And went to their relief/ 

(sadly, thinking ahead) 
Who planned the deed; 
Who sent the news ahead; 
No one may ever know. 
Nine days before 
Rheims was in Compiegnc/ 

Manchon and Ysambard,-- 
(bitterly) 
Rheims; Rheims. 

Colles, — 

The Governor's wife murdered him 
Because he did betray the Maid. 

Pasquerel, — 

Aye, when the ambushed English, 

Signalled, came against our flank, 

And the traitor hirelings 

Turned and fled — 

Jeanne, in the rear protecting them — 

He watched, waiting; 

Then shut the gate when all were in 

But she, and we / / * . # a handfuL 

Ysambard, — 

He shut her out alone, alone, 
Colles, — 

{vengefully) 

And now is dead. 

Ill, n. 149 



I 



Pasquerel^ — 

They took her to Beaulicu. 

Since then I have lived in the South. 

( anxio usiy, fre t fully ) 
Why has the trial been so long; 
Why is she not set free? 
Six months have passed. 

Ysambafd, — 

They would convict her, 

However innocent, of heresy. 

Tis why they bought her. 
Manchon, — 

Before, they could not. 

But now it will be done. 
Pasquerel, — 

( uncertainly) 

She will be convicted of heresy 

And burned? 
Manchon, — 

(sadly) 

It will be done. 
Pasquerel, — 

No, no; we must ransom her. 
Ysambard, — 

(shaking his head) 

It has been tried. 
Pasquerel, — 

(restlessly) 

I know; I know. 

We would have bought her free; 

But, when we would have sent the gold, 

They said she was prisoner to the King, 

And could be given to no one 

Save the King alone. 

150 III, ii. 



He must ransom her. 
Manchon, — 

The English bought her 

At too great a price* 
Colics, — 

They fear her more 

Than all the men^at^^arms in France* 
Pasquerel, — 

{almost In tears) 

But she is innocent , , , , innocent. 

What can they do? 

( Tbcy are all silent) 

What have they done? 

Manchon, — 

Listen, — the Burgundian soldiers 
Believe she is a Saint 
Couchon dared not burn her 
Until he proved she was a witch, 
That her voices were from Satan* 
They have tried every way* 
They sent to Domremy, to Burey, 
To every place she ever visited; 

Colics, — 

Twas Loyseleur who went 

Manchon (cont) — 

And found nothing against her, 

*..*.., nothing. 

They said she invoked evil spirits. 

And advised with them, 

That a hag had taught her magic art, 

That she bore a mandrake. 

They watched and listened 

While she was in prison. 

Through a Judas' ear, day and night, 

III, u. 151 



She did no wrong; 

They could not convict her # 

Couchon despair ed< 

The English reviled him saying 

He did not do his duty* 
(shrinking) 

Then , , , , , he tried poison* 
Pasquerel, — 

(aghast) 

Poison! 
Colles, — 

In her fish* 
Manchon, — 

The English Lords were frantic* 

The doctors came and bled her, 

And saved her life* 

They would not 

That she die a death of nature* 
Pasquerel, — 

Poison .,,,,, poison ***** 

In her fish! 
Ysambard, — 

(grieving) 

She has been weak since then; 

They fear yet she may die 

***** uncondemned* 
Colles, — 

Once they took her to the torture 
chamber* 

They have refused her confession 

And communion . * , all these months, 

****** all during Easter* 
Pasquerel, — 

Poor Jeanne, 

Who so loves the Lord* 
152 III, ii. 



Ysambafd,— 

They could not convict her of witchcraft 
So they turned to heresy. 
They said she urged the people 
Against the Holy Church, 
That she favored schismatics 
And heretics. Yet they knew 
She was much nearer God 
Than ever they will be, 

Colles, — 

Tis why they hate her. 

Manchon, — 

They would condemn her 
Because she wore man's clothes, 
Because she said 
Her voices were from God, 
Because she would not bend 
To Couchon and the judges* 

Pasqucrel, — 

(excitedly) 
But they cannot; they cannot* 
She was examined at Poitiers 
On all those counts 
And found innocent, and pure^ 
And holy, and free of evil. 

Manchon, — 

Yet they will 

Colles, — 

On Wednesday last they closed the pto^ 

cess 
And summoned her to appear on Thurs/ 

day 
To hear her sentence given. 

Ill, ii. 153 



Pasqucfcl, — 

Devils, not men, not judges, 

To so convict her, * , * , so innocent* 

Ysambard, — 

{deeply grieved) 
Some serve for gold; 
Some, because they are afraid/ 
Some ,,,,,,,,, willingly* 

Manchon, — 

Thursday the judges assembled 

In the open place 

Before the Abbey of Saint Ouen, 

A great crowd surrounded them; 

The executioner was there, 

Ready with the cart 

To take her to the burning; 

The pyre was prepared/ 

Pasquerel, — 

Misery; God pray for us! 

Manchon, — 

Jeanne was placed on a platform; 

And on another raised place 

Sat the judges, opposite* 

Maitre Erard preached a solemn sermon 

To the great assembly and to Jeanne, 

Accusing and condemning her 

Of many things of which 

She was most innocent. 

Pasquerel, — 

Most truly innocent, 

Manchon, — 

And at the end he read a schedule 
Inciting her to abjure and to recant, 

154 III, ii. 



Pasqucrcl, — 

To recant? Deny her God? 
Her voices? 

Manchon, — 

She did not know what abjuring wasf 
She asked advice. And I told her 
If she opposed any of the schedule 
They meant to burn her* 
And I advised her to appeal 
To the Church Universal 

(Pasquerel listens feverishly, press^ 
ing close,) 
And so she did saying, — 
"I refer me to the Church Universal 
As to whether I shall abjure or not/' 

Pasquerel — 

{relieved, with dry lips whisper '' 
ing) 
Praise God; praise God. 

Manchon, — 

But Erard replied, — 
"You shall abjure at once, 

And hold as true all that the clergy 

Shall say and decide 

Or you shall be burned," 

Pasquerel, — 

Then , . , . and then .,,,,, 
Manchon, — 

Couchon began reading the sentence. 
Colles, — 

Then the snake Loyseleur whispered, 
"Take the dress of your sex. 
Do as you are told by us, 
And you will have much good 

III, ii. 155 



And no ill 

You will be cared for by the church/' 
The Bishop ceased reading/ 
They waited, 

Manchon, — 

Then Erard and the others promised 
To take her to the church prisonst 
And to treat her kindly. 
So she abjured^ making a sign 
With a pen which I gave her, 
The English were sore and wroth, 

Pasquerel, — 

(shocked) 
Jeanne abjured! 

{with hope) 
But she is safe now 
In the prisons of the church? 

Ysambard, — 

As soon as she had safely signed 

Couchon condemned her 

To perpetual punishment 

On bread and water, 

Ordering the keepers 

To give her a woman's garment, 

To lead her back whence she camel 

Pasquerel, — 

{intensely) 
To the English prisons? 

( They silently bend their heads,) 

Pasquerel, — 

(white with passion) 
God, God in heaven, pity her; 
On bread and water forever, 
,,*,,,., forever, 

156 III, u. 



Manchon, — 

(pitifully) 
Noj / . . . not for long, 

(Pasquerel looks up strangely, cx^ 
pectinga blow,) 

Colics, — 

The English will not be denied. 
They still fear hen 

Pasquerel, — 

(shrinking, whispering hoarsely) 
They can do nothing; 
They can do nothing. 
Manchon, — 

{quietly) 
It is already done/ 

(Pasquerel hesitates, watching him 
in horror, moving gradually 
closer^ ) 

Colles, — 

(mercifully) 
She has resumed the dress, 

Pasquerel, — 

(in suspense) 
The man's dress? 

Colles,— 

( excitedly) 
While she was asleep 
One of the guards took from her 
The woman's garments 
And emptied from a bag 
Her man's dress. 
Pasquerel, — 

(/fl a frenzy) 
Traitors; murderers! 
Ill, ii. 157 



{shaking his fist) 
Ahf England, England, 
The time will come! 

Ysambafd, — 

(bitterly) 
Aye; it was the English. 

Manchon, — 

{in tears) 
When she awoke and saw the clothes 
She said, — 
"Sirs, you know it is forbidden me ; 

Without fail I will not wear them again/' 
But they threw the man's dress at her 
Saying, "Get up and dress/' 
Yet she would not. 

Nor would they give her the woman's 
garments, 

(Pasquerel is sobbing, overcome 
with passion,) 
The struggle lasted 'til midday. 
At last, they being deaf 
To prayers and supplication, 
She arose and dressed herself 
In the clothes of a man. 
The news was carried to the Bishop, 
He hastened to the Earl of Warwick 
Exulting, "She is caught this time! 
The witch will burn!" 

(Pasquerel sits, his head buried in 
his hands,) 

Colics, — 

(in tears) 
They meet today. 
He ordered them at once, 
158 III, ii. 



Pasquerelr — 

{his heart bursting) 
Today, . , , , today* 

{A sound is heard outsidef all are 
silent, fearful Pasqucfel turns 
his back to the door. 

Enter Warwick and Loyselcuf.) 



ni, n. 159 



ACT III SCENE IIL 

Warwick, — 

(brutally, as they cross the room 
to the private entrance) 
Well, arc you ready for the trial? 

{They are all silent) 
Sec to it you do as you are told 
Today, It is the last, 

{He looks them ovtr coldly as 
they pass out) 
Colics,— 

(bitterly) 
The snake; 
The snake and Warwick^ 



160 m,iii. 



ACT III, SCENE IV, 

Pasqucfcl, — 

( weeping) 
Jeanne, , , , . Jeanne, , , , » 

(roused) 
Can nothing then be done? 
Will no one speak for her? 

(rising) 
Ate you all cowards? 
I will remain; I will ,,,,,, 
Ysambard, — 

We dare not. Listen, — 
Because I advised her, Warwick 
In great anger attacked me, 
Saying, "Mort Bleu villain! 
If I see thee again 
Take trouble to deliver her 
I shall throw you in the Seine/' 
Pasquerel, — 

The English, , . , . the English , , , , 
Colles, — 

They would have drowned 
Jean Lohier the lawyer 
And Nicholas de Houpevillc, 
They left Rouen, for fear, 

Manchon, — 

On Sunday as we came to the castle, 
There rushed upon us in the courtyard 
Eighty or a hundred English soldiers, 
III, ir. 161 



They drove us furiously with axes 
And swords, and called us traitors 
Because we had not condemned her. 

Ysambard, — 

They said, — "Priests, priests^ 
You do not earn your moneyi 
The Maid must burn/' 
Coiles, — 

Delafontaine advised her 
To appeal to the Pope^ then ran away 
Lest he should be murdered, 
Pasquerel, — 

(in despair) 
Must she burn, 
Jeanne who is so fair, so pure, 

( Without the tramping of aiarch^ 
ing soldiers is heard.) 
Ysambard, — 

They arc coming; you must go* 

(Pasquerel as directed moves to 
and through the door which ad^ 
mitted him. Manchon and Col'' 
les busy themselves with their 
papers at the table. Ysambard 
in heavy sorrow takes his fudge's 
seat at the rear of the room,) 



162 III, IT. 



ACT III SCENE V, 

{Enter from the rear English soldiers 
with little discipline. Among them those 
who were prisoners at Rheims, They take 
their stations at the various entrances,) 

(The group at the right entrance,) 

First Soldier, — 

I wish this business was ended 
So we might fight or else go home* 

Second Soldier, — 

Warwick said today would be the last* 
They will sentence her. 

Third Soldier, — 

The scaffold is prepared^ 

First Soldier, — 

So it was last Thursday, 

Third Soldier, — 

{with determination) 
This time it will be used, 

Others of the group,— 
( vengelully) 
The witch will burn! 
The witch will burn! 

First Soldier,— 

I will not fight again 
Until I see her dead, 

III, V. 43 



First Pf isoncf , — 

(shrinking) 

Nor L 
Second Prisoner, — 

Nor If I saw her before Orleans 

Riding through the air* 
Third Soldier,— 

{decisively) 

The witch shall be burned« 
Others,— 

She must die* 
Second Soldier, 

When she is gone 

We will reconquer France? 
Others,— 

Aye, aye! 

We will conquer France! 



M 111, 



ACT III SCENE VL 

{Enter from the tear Lord Suffolk,) 

The group at the left entrance, — 
Our Lord Suffolk, 

(Suffolk crosses to the group at the 
righ t. Shortly after him appear 
Midi, Lemaitre, Fecamp, Beau/ 
pere, and other priests, Carme'' 
lites, Dominicans, Franciscans, 
who take their seats on the left 
near the judge's tribunal) 

Suffolk,— 

{to the soldiers) 
Let no one in except the judges 
And keep them in their place today j 
It 18 the last of the trial 
{The soldiers salute,) 



111, Ti. 165 



ACT III, SCENE VIL 

{At the right entrance appear and tim" 
dly enter a second group of monks who 
silently take their places to the rear and to 
the right Some of them are friendly to 
Jeanne and are deeply distressed,) 

One of the soldiers to the left,— 
They have learned meekness. 
They will do as they are told/ 



166 III, vii. 



ACT III, SCENE VIIL 

{Through the little private door at the 
rear of Couchon's chair appear Warwick, 
Touraine, and Estivct. The monks take 
their seats on the left of the fudge's tribunal. 
Warwick crosses to Suffolk^ 

Suffolk.— 

(quietly) 
She is coming? 
Warwick, — 

(exultingly) 
In the male garments! 
We have her now, 

Suffolk — 

{nodding his head seriously) 
I suppose it must be done, 



III, viii, 167 



ACT III SCENE IX, 

(A sudden stillness seizes the judgesf 
all look intently at the private door, Couch/ 
on enters followed by Loyselcuf, Silently 
yet pompously, Couchon takes his seat He 
crosses himself and folds his hands in pray'' 
er. Loyseleuf takes his seat to the rights 
rear of the tribunal, 

In the silence the closing of a distant 
door is heard then the clanking of a chain 
and the tramp of heavy footsteps in the 
hallway, All wait and watch the rear en<^ 
trance. ) 



166 III, ix. 



ACT III, SCENE X, 




(Two soldiers enter followed by the 
monk Massieu and Jeanne In clanking 
chains* She is pale and wistfully sad, 
yet serenely hopeful Following her ap>» 
pear the two prison keepers and two ad^ 
ditional soldiers, The soldiers halt at the 
doorway while Jeanne, Massieu, and the 
keepers advance to the center of the room 
before the fudge's tribunal, 

Massieu, — 

(presenting the prisoner) 
Reverend Father and Lord in Christ, the 
Lord Pierre, by divine mercy Bishop 
of Beauvais, and venerable and relig*' 
ious brother Jean Lemaitre, deputy of 
the renowned Doctor Jean Graverend 
by order of the Holy Apostolic Sec 
Inquisitor of the faith and of the evil 

lU, z. 169 



of Heresy in the Kingdom of Francej 
your humble Jean Massieu, priest of 
Rouen, has cited and now brings be^ 
fore you this woman, commonly 
called the Maid/ according to the form 
and tenor of your mandate- 

(Massieu and the keepers retire 
leaving Jeanne alone before the 
Bishop and the judges. 

Quietly almost furtively, Stafford 
and a fellow lord slip into the 
room through the rear enf 
trance.) 

Bishop Couchon — 

(to the judges) 
On Thursday last, May the twenty.^ 

fourth, 
Jeanne the Maid, after having received 
A solemn preachment and numerous 

admonitions 
Did end by signing her revocation and 

abjuration/ 
In the afternoon of the same day 
The Deputy inquisitor, our coadjutor, 
Did go to seek her in prison. 
Where she was in salutary penance 
Upon the bread of sorrow 
And the water of affliction, 
That she might bewail her faults. 
And did charitably admonish her 
To persist in her good purpose 
And to guard herself well against any 

relapse. 
Obeying the orders of the Church 
She did then put off the clothes 

170 III,z, 



She had been wearing and did take 
The garment of a woman> 

{turning to Jeanne) 
But now, driven by the Devil, 
It seems she has declared anew 
That the voices and the spirits 
That appeared to her have returned to 

her. 
And have said many things to her, 
And, casting away her woman's gar/ 

ment, 
She hath again taken the male clothes^ 
(Some of the fudges exhibit hype' 
critical horror^ ) 
We are assembled 
To examine her upon her relapse. 
Estivet, — 

Why have you retaken 
The dress of a man? 

(Bishop Couchon and the others 
await her reply, The secretary' 
ies, Manchon and Colles^ busy 
themselves taking down ques-^ 
tions and answers, Ysambard 
sits wrapped in gloomy silence,) 
Jeanne, — 

(gravely, pensively) 
I have but now 

Resumed the clothes of a man 
And put off the woman's garment* 

Couchon, — 

(pompously) 
You affirmed and took oath 
Not to resume the dissolute, misshapen^ 
And immodest dress of a man, 
m. X. 171 



Against the propriety of nature; 
You agreed to submit to the correction, 
Disposal, amendment, and entire decision 
Of the Holy Mother Church 
And of our good justice; 
You swore never to return 
To your abhorrent errorsj 
But always to remain in union 
With our Holy Church and in obedience- 
Why are you here in the clothes of a 
man? 

Jeanne, — 

{patiently) 
When I abjured 
You promised to keep me 
In the prisons of the Churchy 
To take me out of irons, 
To let me attend mass, 
/ * , . go to confession* 
Had you done so 
I would have worn the woman's gar^ 

mentf 
I would have obeyed you willingly. 
But when I asked that some among you 
Lead me to the church prisons, 
That I might no longer 
Be in the hands of my enemies 
The English, you ordered them 
To lead me back whence I came^ 

(He sits frowning.) 
I have not been allowed to attend mass; 
I am still in irons> 

{Her enemies are disconcerted.) 
Suffolk,— 

(anxiously seeking information) 

U2 III, X. 



Did God tell you 

To resume man's clothes? 

Jeanne, — 

{wearily) 
What concerns this dress 
Is a most small thing/ 
Less than nothing- 
It does not weigh upon my soul? 
It is not contrary to the church* 
A higher court than this examined me 
And found no harm in my attire« 
Why do you so insist? 

Warwick, — 

( with itching palm) 
Where is your sword of Fierbois? 

Jeanne, — 

I offered at St. Denis a sword and armor 

(He listens eagerly^) 
But it was not my sword of the crosses/ 

(He is vexed*) 
I had God's sword at Lagny, 
But from there to Compiegne I bore 
A sword taken from a Burgundian. 
What became of the sword of Fierbois 
Does not concern this case* 

(He is balked and angry.) 

Fecamp, — 

You had it charmed; 
You had it charmed! 

Midi,— 

You carried pennon/'cloth 
Around the altar I 

(Jeanne answers them not*) 

III, X. 173 



Suffolk,— 

Did you know you would be 
Taken captive at Compiegnc? 

Jeanne, — 

That day I did not know at all 

That I should be taken; 

And I had no direct command 

To go forth } 

But my voices had always told me 

It was necessary 

That I should be taken prisoner* 

Estivet, — 

Saint Catherine and Saint Margaret? 

Jeanne, — 

Saint Catherine and Saint Margaret, 
They said, — "Thou wilt be taken 
Before Saint John's dayi" 

Fecamp and other of the Judges, — 
{in awe) 
Before Saint John's day I 

Jeanne (cont) — 
"So must it be* 
Do not torment yourself; 
Be resigned; God will help thee*" 

Warwick, — 

Had they warned you before? 

Jeanne, — 

Many times and nearly every day* 
They first warned me 
During the week of Easter 
In the trenches of Melun* 

(to herself ) 
My year was almost ended. 

174 " III, X. 



I asked them that when taken 
I might die soon, 
Without long suffering in prison; 
And again they said to me, — 
"Be resigned to all« 
Thus must it be>" 



Often I asked the hourj 
They never told me* 
Friendly Judges, — 

( to one another) 
Saint Catherine and Saint Margaret! 
She is sent of God! 

(Loyseleur leans forward consult'^ 
ing in whispers with Estivet. 
Couchon sits pompously silent) 
Suffolk,— 

(puzzled) 
Yet you {e<i in war> 
Jeanne, — 

{somewhat sadly) 
After the revelation 
I wished to stay at St> Denis; 
But the captains would not let me* 
Had I done so 

You would not have taken me. 
Estivet, — 

{leaning forward eagerly) 
Is it so that 

To the children of the church 
At Compiegne you said, — 
"My children and dear friends 
I notify you that I am soH 
And betrayed, and that shortly 
I shall be delivered over to death/" 
III, X. 175 



And that you besought them 
To pray for you saying, — 
"Nevermore shall I be able 
To do service for the King 
And the kingdom of France?" 
Jeanne, — 

{sadly but simply) 
It is so, 

(The judges are awe^struck, 
Loyseleur nods his head ctaff 
Uy.) 
Midi — 

{excitedly, angrily) 
How did you know? 
Jeanne, — 

( unperturbed) 
They told me. 
Fecamp, — 

Saint Catherine and Saint Margeret? 
Jeanne, — 

I have 6aid< 

(They are angty, wroth,) 
Estivet, — 

(craftily) 
If you had known 
You would be captured, then. 
Would you have gone? 

(Loyseleur listens closely, Ysam** 
bard alert follows every argU'' 
ment) 
Jeanne, — 

I would not have gone gladly, 
But assuredly I would have gone, 
Had God so commanded me* 

176 111. X. 



( There is a brief lowering silence, 
Loyseleur rises and moves to 
consult with Couchon*) 
Midi,— 

Why did you throw yourself 
From the tower of Beaurevoir? 

Jeanne, — 

I had heard 

That the people of Compiegne, all, 

To the age of seven years, 

Were to be put to fire and sword} 

I wished to save themj 

And then < > / . I knew 

I was to be sold to the English* 

I jumped to save myself, 

And to go to the help 

Of all those brave folk 

Who were in danger. 
Estivet,— 

(leaning forward) 

Did your Saints counsel you to do it?' 
Midi,— 

It wasSatanj 

Satan urged her! 

Jeanne, — 

Saint Catherine told me 
Almost every day, not to leap, 

(Estivet sinks back scowling,) 
That God would help them. 
I said 
"Since God will help them 

I wish to be there." 
But she warned me 
That I should not be delivered 

III. X. Ml 



Before I saw the English king. 

I was in misery until they promised mc 

Compicgne should be relieved* 

( The English are frowning, Loy** 
seleur returns to his seat) 
Fecamp, — 

They promised you? 

(Jeanne hears him not) 
Warwick, — 

Did you urge your Saints 

To send Vendome? 

Did they make him go? 
Jeanne, — 

Each day I prayed that some one 

Might come to their relief 

Whether they sent him or not 

I cannot telL 

God willed Compiegne should be re^' 
lieved; 

His will was done, 

Couchon, — 

( with vast importance) 
On the scaffold you did admit 
Before us, your Judges, 
In the presence of all the people, 
That you had untruthfully asserted 
Your Voices to be Saint Catherine 
And Saint Margaret* 
Now again do you affirm them? 

(Ysambari grasping the cliair^ 
arms, leans forward almost ris^ 
ing.) 
Jeanne, — 

{tensing herself, turning towards 
him) 
178 III. X, 



Said I not, 

When you took me to the torture, 

Were you to tear me limb from limb, 

And separate soul and body, 

I would tell you nothing more? 

And if I should say aught else, 

I would always after declare 

You made me say it by force? 

(Some of the judges nod their 
heads,) 

Jeanne i^cont,) — 

{quietly, intensely) 
What I said Thursday, I said 
Because I feared the fire* 

( The judges sit up expectant, some 
in horror^ some in triumph, 
Ysambard in agony murmurs 
her name,) 

Jeanne (coi3t), — 

(calmly, repentant) 
I did not intend to deny my Voices, 
Either Saint Catherine 
Or Saint Margaret. 
I will deny them no more. 

The Judges, — 

{excitedly.) 
She shall burn; 
She is relapsed! 

Jeanne, (cont), — 
I feared the firej 
But now I am no more afraid, 
I would rather burn 
Than longer endure the suffering 
Of a prison, 

III. X. 179 



Couchon,— 

{cruelly) 
Ah , , , , , ah , , , , , 

(Ysambard sinks back overcome,) 

Warwick, — 

(to Suffolk) 
We have her now! 

(Her friends are weeping* Loy* 
seleur is smiling satisfied,) 
Suffolk — 

(somewhat moved) 
Why did you not accept 
The offer of ransom 
From the Count of Ligny? 
Jeanne, — 

( wistfully) 
In God's name, he but mocked me! 
For I knew well that he had 
Neither the will nor the power* 

Warwick, — 

(with bitter sarcasm) 
Your King , , , . » will ransom you. 
Jeanne, — 

(resignedly) 
He has no gold, And I 
Am but a simple peasant maiden; 
God alone will care for me. 

Couchon, — 

(leaning forward, angrily) 
Do you believe 
You are still in God's grace, 
You heretic? 
Ysambard, — 

(in agony, starting forward) 
180 III, X. 



Jeanne. Don't answer him^ 
Pass it by, 

Stafford/ — 

(to Ysambafd) 
You had best be silent* 

(Ysambafd returns to his seat still 
feverishly watching her,) 
Estivet, — 

( threateningly) 
Are you still in God's favor? 

{There is intense silence,) 

Jeanne, — 

(in measured tones') 
If I am not, may God so place me; 
If I am, may God there keep me. 

(Her enemies are non^'plussed.) 
I should be the saddest in all the world, 
If I knew I were not 
In the grace of our Lord, 
Manchon, Colles and her friends, — 

(in whispered admiration) 
Bravo; bravo! 

Jeanne (coi3f.)< — 

(tentatively) 
But if I were in a state of sin 
Do you think the Voices 
Would come to me? 
Loyseleur, — 

(aside, excitedly) 
The Voices; the Voices! 

(He moves quickly and whispers 
to Couchon,) 
Jeanne, — 

(earnestly) 
I would that everyone could hear them, 
III, X. 181 



, , , , asl hear them^ 

{to the judges) 
You would believe me # * , , then, 
Couchon, — 

(his eyes narrowing) 
Have you heard your voices 
At all since Thursday last? 

(The judges await her answer in 
great excitement) 
Ysambard/ — 

(in tears) 
Jeanne? Jeanne ,,,,,,,, 

{Again he attempts to go to her 
hut is seized and forced hack to 
his place by Stafford and the 
English soldiers,) 
JeannCf — 

{quietly, in the turmoil) 
Yes, I have heard them, 
Hcf enemies, — 

( triumphan tly) 
Relapsed ! Relapsed ! 
The friendly judges, — 

{in great sorrow) 
Relapsed. 

(Loyseleur resumes his place well 
pleased,) 
Couchon, — 

{working his palms together oiU 
ily>) 

What did they say j 
What did they say? 
Jeanne^ — 

(quietly) 
They spoke to mc 
182 III, X. 



Of the so great pity it was 

That I should consent 

To abjure and recant 

In order to saye my life* 
Couchon, — 

(^sotto voce) 

In the prison they told you} 

They told you , , , , , 
Jeanne (cont), — 

And warned me that I should damn my/ 
self, 

If I said God sent me not. 

The priests, — 

{to each other) 
She will burn; she will bum, 

{Settled back into his seat Loyse^ 
leur dreams of the future ag^ 
grandizements due for the ser'* 
vices he has rendered La Tre-* 
moille and Burgundy, Ysambard 
moves to Jeanne's side and kneels 
at her feet) 

Jeanne {cont), — 

Again yesterday evening 
They came and said, — 
"Great is the evil thou hast done 

In saying that your acts were wrong/' 
They told me to be patient 
And promised me that in the end 
I should come to the kingdom of paradise 
To dwell with them 

{ecstatically) 
With Saint Catharine and Saint Margaret, 
Saint Michael and Saint Gabriel^ 
, , t , , f iti Heaven* 
III, X. 163 



(alter a moment of exaltation) 
All I said and revoked) 
I said for fear of the fire« 
Ysambard, — 

ipiteously, taking her hand) 
Jeanne, Jeanne; 
They will burn you; 
They will burn you. 
Jeanne, — 

(looking down on Ysambard) 
My dear father 

Think not my faith is so weak 
That I fear death and the life beyond. 

(fo the judges) 
The Voice doth come to me from God 
And by His own command, 
Couchon, — 

Beware} beware! 

(Ysambard, in tears, rises to re*' 
turn.) 

Jeanne, — 

{proudly) 
Burn me if you will} 
I am no more afraid! 
Far greater is my fear of doing wrong. 
By saying what would displease God, 
Than of being burned by answering you. 
For the Voices have told me ... , 
Couchon, — 

(perturbed) 
What! Aye what now? 

(Loyseleur straightens up sudden^ 
fyf the judges lean forward 
anxiously I Ysambard stands 
waiting) 
m m,x. 



What have they told you? 
Jeanne, — 

Things not for you but for my King. 

The soldiers at the right, — 
{in fear) 
What is it the witch knows; 
What will she do? 

The Soldiers at the left,— 
(in fear) 
Burn her! Pass judgment? 
Take her away! 

Jeanne (cont), — 

Ah, if my King but knew them 
He would be more easy in his mind, 
I would he might know them« 
Couchon, — 

(angry, purples faced) 
The King, the so-called King of France, 
Crowned by a witch, is damned, is here^ 
tic] 
(Tiie English shout approval) 
Jeanne, — 

(grieved) 
By my faith. Sire, 
I dare say and swear, 
He is the most christian of all christians, 
He who best loves the law and the 

Church, 
He is not , , , , , not what you say» 

(Couchon is silenced. Her friends 
are thrilled,) 
Estivet, — 

What have the voices told you? 
Of Pans? 
Ill, X. IdS 



Jeanne, — 

(sighing, speaking as to herstif 
alone) 
They told me, , , . . all must die. 
And if our dying, even as our livings* 
May serve some useful end 
Tis well to die. 

{The Judges look at one another 
with blank faces, Loyseleur 
studies her Intently.) 

Jeanne, — 

They told me 

I should dwell with them 

In paradise, and that my death 

Would 

Warwick, — 

(^roughly) 
Would what? 

Jeanne, — 

( wearily) 
Years hence, 

When not another English soldier 
Boots it on French soil. 
You may look back upon my death 
And know , . , , * not now, 

(Ysambard resumts his seat sor^ 
rowing.) 

Warwick, — 

{sarcastically) 
Your Voices promised 
To deliver you from out our hands; 
Did they not? 

Estivet and others, — 

Yes, yes; her Voices? 
166 111 X' 



Jeanne, — 

(simply, full of faith) 
Indeed they promised me, 

(//e turns away disconcerted, The 
priests are bewildered. They 
cannot understand her faith,) 
Estivet, — 

What else did the false Voices 
Promise you? Riches? To be Queen? 
Three famous sons? 

Jeanne, — 

(shaking her head) 
For myself nothing, 

Couchon, — 

(surprised) 
Nothing? 

Jeanne, — 

(without emotion) 
Nothing at all. 

(They are even more at sea,) 
All I asked was my deliverance, 
That God would help the French, 
And the salvation of my souL 
They told me I should be delivered 
By a great victory, adding, — 
"Be resigned; 
Have no care for thy martyrdom/' 

Soldiers at the right, — 
(perturbed) 
A great victory! A victory! 
Is it Paris? 

Jeanne (cont), — 

They told me this simply, 
Absolutely^ and without faiL 
III, s, 187 



What they meant by my martyrdom 
I did not know; nor of what sort 
The great victory* Now I know 
It will come to pass* 

( The soldiers are restless, fearful ) 

Couchon, — 

(angrily) 
Tomorrow you shall die! 

Stafford,— 

Today} today! 

The Soldiers at the rear, — 
Aye J today, today! 

Jeanne, — 

(with exaltation) 
It may be? , * , . yet 
The dead shall live again* 

(Suffolk with knitted brow is try*' 
ing to fathom her meaning, 
Loyseleur shifts restlessly in his 
seat,) 
Estivct, — 

( venge fully) 
As for your soul's salvation? 
You are damned. 
You are a relapsed heretic, 

Jeanne, — 

( with great trust and assurance) 
Not all the enemies of France 
Can, by their sentence, 
Make me hated of the Lord* 
He will guard and care for me* 
I am not yet despised* 
Warwick, — 

{with animus) 
188 III,x, 



When you arc dead, 

All France will fall into our hands* 
Jeanne, — 

It will not be. For all the places 

Which the King of Heaven 

Hath subdued through me 

And put into the hands 

Of Charles, the gentle King, 

Will never be retaken 

By his enemies, 
Warwick, — 

Compiegne , , , , , Compiegne , , , , » 
Jeanne, -- 

{with spirit) 

Hath not yet fallen? 

Nor will fall. They promised, — 

Once the King was crowned at Rheims 

God would protect his kingdom, 

(Loyseleur is afire with hatred,) 
The friendly judges, — 
{impressed) 

They promised; her Saints, 
Suffolk,— 

(angry, yet in doubt) 

Think you God fights for the French 
alone? 

And hates the English? 

( The soldiers press forward,) 
Jeanne, — 

Of the love or hate 

God may have for the English, 

Or what he will do for their souls, 

I know nothing} 

But I know quite well 

They will be put out of France, 
III, X. 189 



Except those who shall die here? 
And that God will send victory 
To the French against the English. 

{to the English) 
Why do you not leave France 
And go back to your own country? 
Do not you love your own land? 

(They are sullenly silentf she 
turns to the French Judges.) 
Not one of them has been seen 
To sow a field with grain; 
They have not raised a single fire-place, 
Made one home abode. 
More than seventy thousand 
Have already died in France 
Who might have lived in peace 
In England. 

Do they not love England 
As we love France? 

(They cannot answer her. She 
addresses the English Lords.) 
Why do you fight against the Lord? 
God will not give our land to you. 
Why must you die here 
Cut off in your sins? 
Why must we shed your blood? 

Stafford, — 

(angrily drawing his dagger) 
You witch; you witch! 

(Held by the others he yet strug*' 
gles to reach her,) 
Suffolk — 

(proudly) 
We were sent into France 
To purge the land. 
When first we came 
190 III x. 



Like bcastSf the nobles 

Clutched each others throats? 

The streets of Paris ran with blood? 

French blood, all French, — 

While your humped, crazed King 

Sat; mouth agape, eyes ableer, 

With wandering thoughts. 

Impotent, imbecile? 

You peasants starved ? 

When good King Henry came, 

Warwick, — 

God led him hither by the hand 

To punish well your sins. 
Jeanne, — 

(humbly) 

At Agincourt 

The nobles were well punished 

For their sins. 

Warwick, — 

We overran the land 

Until you came. 

We cannot fight the Devil, 

When you are gone 

From Paris we will march 

South, and South, and West, 

Retake Orleans, o'erwhelm Touraine, 

And, when we will, at Bourgcs 

Take captive your toy King 

Compiegne and Rheims 

Shall fall to Burgundy* 

(The English soldiers cheer his 
statements.) 
Jeanne, — 

(dispassionately, shaking her head) 
It will not be, 
III, X, 191 



For us the greater task 

Was against our own rebellious French* 

They will return and fight 

For Charlesr their King« 

As for you English 

In war we drove you 

As the wind hurries chaff* 

{Wroth they make toward her, 
Suffolk would hear her speak,) 
Jeanne, — 

(putting up her hand to silence 
them) 

I am to die; 

Yet God will do such things in France 

That all the kingdom will be shaken* 

Within seven years the English 

Will lose a greater battle 

Than that before Orleans^ 

And soon shall lose all France! 

(Suffolk is startled. Ysambard //s^ 
tens impressed. Her friends, 
forgetting themselves, applaud 
her, Loyseleur and her enemies 
are furious,) 

Stafford,— 

The she devil? the witch! 

(Again he attempts to murder 
her. 

The English soldiers gather about 
her and before the tribunal in 
great anger each threatening 
and screaming, — ''She is guilty!'^ 
"She has relapsed!" ''She wears 
the clothes!'* "Condemn her/ 
condemn her!" Loyseleur mo v^ 

192 III. x. 



ing to Couchon whispers rapidly 
and impressively ) 
Stafford, — 

(through the clamor) 
Yield her unto us; 
She is a heretic and damned; 
Pass judgment, 

(Couchon rises in his place and 
spreads his palms for peace,) 

Suffolk,— 

{forcing back the soldiery) 
Return; return; 
The judges will act; 
They will sentence her* 
Let them speak, 

( When quiet is restored Couchon 
proceeds. Aside, alone, Jeanne 
stands wrapped in thought and 
and prayer. Suffolk in a deep 
study watches her. Ysambard 
is weeping,) 

Couchonr- 

(pompously to the judges) 
On Thursday, May the twenty ^'fourth 
Jeanne the Maid, after having 
Received a solemn preachment 
Concerning her many errors 
And grievous crimes. 
And numerous admonitions, 
Signed, with her own hand, 
Her revocation and abjuration. 
As you all did witness. 

( The judges nod their heads> ) 
In the afternoon of that same day 
The deputy inquisitor, our Coadjutor, 
III, X, 193 



Did seek her out in prison 

And did charitably admonish her 

To persist in her good purpose 

And to guard herself stoutly against tt^ 

lapse; 
And he did set before her 
How God had, on that day, 
Taken pity upon her 
And how we, the clergy, 
Had shown ourselves merciful 
In receiving her to the grace 
And the pardon of the Holy Mother 

Church, 
He told her to leave off the man's gar/ 

mcnt 
And to take the woman's dress 
And in all things to obey the Church, 
A woman's dress having been offered 

her 
She at once clothed herself therein 
And seemed most truly penitent, 

(sighing hypocritically) 
But now, driven by the Devil, 
Behold! She hath declared anew, 
That her Voices and the spirits 
Which have appeared to her, 
Have returned to her 
And have said many things to her, 
And, casting away her woman's dress, 
She hath again taken the male garments, 
And hath said many things 
Contrary to the Holy Church. 
What shall be done with the relapsed 

heretic? 
We seek your advice and counsel, 

( The English soldiers and some of 
194 III,x. 



the priests in great excitement 
scream,— "Burn her!" ''To the 
Staker'&c) 
Jeannei — 

{turning to Couchon) 
You say you are my judge; 
Heed well then what you do* 

Couchon, — 

(to the judges^ 
What shall be done? 

Estivet, — 

{rising) 
The witch is relapsed. 
We must declare her heretic 
And yield her to the guard. 

(Couchon looks about for other 
opinions,) 

Touraine — 

Jeanne is proven heretic. 
She must be dealt with 
According to the law. 

(Ysambard looks at them with in^* 
tense sadness.) 

Abbot of Fecamp, — 

{in a mild feminine voice) 
We who live in the church 
And in the administration of holy things 
Ought to shew her, in ail gentleness, 
That she is, by her words and actions, 
Outside of the faith, the truth/ and rc^ 

ligion, 
We ought to warn her, 
That she has nothing further 
To expect in this earthly life 
III, X. 195 



And to admonish her charitably 
For the salvation of her soul. 

Midi- 
Jeanne shall be considered heretic* 
The sentence declaring her such/ 
Once given by us the judges, 
She shall be abandoned 
To the secular authority, 
Which shall be prayed to act 
Toward her with the utmost gentleness, 

Jeanne, — 

(in an undertone) 
My enemies are my judges? 
The sentence is foreknown, 

Couchon, — 

{looking about threateningly) 
Are all agreed? 

{Some nod their heads f some say 
"ayef" some hang their heads in 
sorrow.) 
Couchon, — 

{to Jeanne) 
Do you still believe? 

Jeanne, — 

As firmly as I believe 
God gave His only Son 
Who suffered upon the cross, and died. 
To save us from the pains of hell, 
So firmly do I believe it was 
Saint Michael and Saint Gabriel, 
The blessed Saint Catherine, 
And Saint Margaret, 
Whom the Savior sent 
To comfort and to counsel me, 
196 III, X. 



Ysambard, — 

{moving to her, beseechingly) 
Recant; recant! 
They will now burn you! 

(Couchon and the priests watch 
her intently.) 
Jeanne, — 

I know well that the English 
Will do me to death, 

(with bowed head) 
It must be bornc/ 

(quietly, bravely) 
I put my trust in the Lord, 

(Loyseleur smiles malignantly,) 

Couchon, — 

(glancing about triumphantly) 
'Tis done, 
The process is now closed, 

Stafford and the English, — 

Sentence her; sentence her! 
Proclaim her damned, 
Jeanne, — 

(to the English) 
Burn me and forever 
You will burn hereafter! 

(fo the judges sorrowfully) 
You who claim to be at one with God, 
Who live within the church, 
What answer can you make the Lord 
When, dead, you stand before Him 
For His judgment? 

{They shrink from her eyes 
ashamed. The soldiers are g to w^ 
ing sullen,) 
He chose me for his work 

III, X. 197 



And you now publish me as heretic. 

Condemn me to be burned. 

What became of those 

Who crucified the Lord? 

As long as you may live 

The people will pursue you 

In the streets! 

And when alone your thoughts 

Will never free themselves of murder, 

(At her feet Ysambard still begs 
her to recant) 
English Soldiers, — 

(sullenly) 
Publish the warrant ! 
Let her die! 

Estivet, — 

( bespeaking a tten tion ) 
Silence! 
Listen to the sentence, 

Couchon, — 

(reading) 
We, the Bishop and vicar, having re/ 
gard to all that has gone before, in 
which it is shewn that this woman 
hath never truly abandoned her cr'' 
rors, her obstinate temerity, nor her 
unheard/of crimes. That she hath 
shewn the malice of her diabolical ob^ 
stinacy in this deceitful semblance of 
contrition, penitence, and amend** 
ment, — malice rendered still more 
damnable by her perjury of the Holy 
Name of God, and blasphemy of His 
ineffable Majesty; — considering her on 
all these grounds obstinate, incorrigi/ 
198 III X. 



blc, heretic, relapsed into heresy, and 
altogether unworthy of the grace and 
of the communion which, by our for*' 
mcr sentence, we did mercifully ac^ 
cord her; . , . , . 
Jeanne, — 

(much grie vcd ) 
Not once have I been granted commun^' 
ion. 

(fo Suffolk) 
We did not refuse you 
The blessed sacrament 
When you were our prisoner, 
Suffolk, — 

I was not heretic, 
Jeanne, — 

(sincerely) 
No more am L 
Couchon, — 

(pompouslyt continuing) 
All of which being seen and considered, 
we at last, with great reluctance, pro^ 
ceed to the final sentence; — 

(Patiently Jeanne awaits the end. 
Ysambard has resumed his seat, 
Loyseleur is still smiling,) 
In the name of the Lord? Amen. 

[reading from a second mms.) 
At all times, and especially since so 
many false prophets have arisen, 
when the poisoned virus of heresy 
attaches itself with persistency to a 
member of the Church and transforms 
him into a member of Satan, extreme 
care should be taken to watch that the 

III, X. 199 



hoffibic contagion of this pernicious 
leprosy does not gain other parts of the 
mystic body of Christ. The decisions 
of the Holy Fathers have willed that 
hardened heretics, such as this homi.' 
cidal viper, should not be warmed in 
the bosom of pious Mother Church 
but should be separated from the midst 
of the just, lest they do them too great 
injury. It was for this that, Thurs-^ 
day last, we did, by a just judgment, 
declare this woman fallen into diverse 
errors and diverse crimes of schism, 
idolatry, invocation of demons, and 
many others, (with great sancti^ 
many) But, because the Church dees 
not close her bosom to the child who 
returns to her, we did think that, with 
a spirit pure, and a faith unfeigned, 
she had put far from her her errors 
and her crimes, considering that on 
that day she did renounce them and 
did publicly swear, vow, and promise 
never to return to any of her errors 
and her heresies, ss is proved at greats' 
cr length in a writing signed by her 
own hand- {with pompous horror) 
But after this abjuration of her errors, 
The Author ^ of ^ Schism ^ and ^ Heresy 
hath again arisen in her heart, which 
he hath once more seduced. (grow>^ 
ing restless under her gaze) It hath 
become manifest by her spontaneous 
confessions and confessed assertions. 
(Ysambard attempts to be heard 
but Couchon talks him down,) 
200 III, X. 



Couchon, — 

(with raised voice, turning on 
Jeanne directly) 
Shame , , , , shame! 
That, as the dog 
Returns again to his vomit, 
So? so hast thou returned 
To thine errors and crimes! 

Jeanne, — 

(witii sufferance) 
Even cs God has willed^ 

{The English break in, clamoring 
for a sentence.) 
Jeanne, — 

You are ovcrlong; 

Pray make an end, 

Stafford and the Soldiers, — 

Aye, make an end, you Monk! 
Make an end! 
Couchon, — 

(having turned several pages.) 
Having before otjr eyes Christ and the 
honor of the Orthodox Faith, so that 
our judgment may emanate even from 
the face of the Lord; we, the judges, say 
and decree, — That thou, Jeanne, hast 
been on the subject of thy pretended 
divine revelations and apparitions, 
lying, seducing, pernicious, presump/' 
tuous, lightly believing, rash, supersti^ 
tious, a divineress and blasphemer 
tov/erds God and the Saints, a despiscr 
of God Himself in His Sacraments; 
a prevaricator of the Divine Lav/ and 
of ecclesiastical sanctions, of sacred 
III, X. 201 



doctrine J seditious, cruel, apostate, 
schismatic, erring on many points of 
our faith, and by all these means rash/ 
ly guilty toward the Father, and Holy 
Church, 

And also, because that often, very often, 
not only by us on our part, but by the 
learned Doctors and Masters thou hast 
been duly and sufficiently warned to 
amend, to correct thyself and submit 
to the disposal, decision, and correction 
of Holy Mother Church; which thou 
hast not willed, having even many 
times and obstinately refused to sub*' 
mit thyself to our Lord the Pope and 
to the General Council; 

Jeanne, 

No, my Lord, you know well 
I wished to be taken to our father the 
Pope, 

Ysambard and others, — ^ 

It is so. It is SO/ 

( Couchon pot/i3</s his desk for si<* 
lencc. The English crowd to^ 
ward the tribunal shouting for 
the sentence, urging despatch,) 
Warwick, — 

{angrily) 
Pass judgment; at once, at once! 
Would you have us dine here? 

Couchon, — 

(fearful, making himself heard) 
It shall be done; it shall be done. 
(turning to Jeanne) 
202 III, X. 



Hardened and obstinate in thy crimes, 
excesses, and errors, we with right dc^ 
dare thee excommunicate, heretic, 
damned. Infected with the leprosy of 
heresy we now separate thee from the 
Church; a member of Satan we aban^ 
don thee to the secular authority, ( The 
men^at^'arms cheer and would seize 
her. She puts up her hand and 
stops them.) praying this same power 
that< as concerns death and the muti^ 
lation of limbs, it may be pleased to 
moderate its judgment. 

{He takes his seat Loyseleur and 
her enemies are well satisfied, 
Ysambard and her friends are 
overcome, weeping.) 

Estivet,— 

Go in peace: 

The Church can no longer defend you; 

She leaves you to the law, 

(Couchon and Estivet busy them*' 
selves affixing their seals to the 
document. 
The English soldiers in great ex/ 
citement surge forward to take 
her away, screamingf — "The 
witch; the witch!" "Burn the 
witch!" "Down with France!" 
"Away with her!" "To the fire!" 
"To the fire!" 
Suffolk would restrain them. Mas/ 
sieu and the keepers beat them 
back. Jeanne looks about on all 
undisturbed.) 
Ill, X, 203 



Suffolk- 
Listen} let hcf speak, 

( When they are quiet Jeanne speaks. 
The soldiers having left the door 
unguarded people from the out^ 
side gradually assemble to the 
right The priests move down 
from their places,) 




••/• "^X \\ \\ 



Jeanne, — 

(gravely) 
By your sentence I am heretic 
And soon , , , . . must die; 
And, . , , . . through my death, 
You hope to conquer France, 
How vainly, uselessly 
You strive against the Lord. 

{to Suffolk) 
You say you came 
To punish us our sins, 
Tis true the knights were unworthy? 
But the peasants were blameless, 
And God cares for them, 

{People and priests move restless^ 

204 III, 31. 



While we starved we learned. 

And, for that the knights 

Would not lead in war, 

And, as yet, the people 

Dared not trust themselves 

God chose the humblest of His servants 

Through whom he might instruct 

And lead them, 

A thousand maids there were 

More wise than Ij 

'Twas for my very simpleness 

He chose me^ that all might see 

The victories were His handiwork. 

And having led and conquered, 

And having taught the people 

That they should trust the Lord, 

For whom the King now rules in France, 

My services were ended. 

Think you, if it were needful 

I should lead the armies, 

God would have yielded me to you? 

(shaking her head) 
He had no further need of me; 
My work was over. 
The lessons have been learned. 

And yet you seek my life. 

It is a simple thing, my life, 

A spear wound in the side, 

A sword stained red, 

And the worn soldier's soul 

Springs through the gap to Heaven? 

Death means deliverance, 

{a'^h anger for the fields) 
Outside 'tis Easter time; 
The flowers blow; 
111, I. 205 



The birds are singing; 
God is there. In prison 

(shivering) 
All is foul with crime and treachery, 
Tis cold, there is no light, 

( With exaJta Hon ) 
In heaven 'tis also Easter time; 
There I will walk with God 
And Saint Catherine; 
And, when you are gone, 
We shall rejoice; the glad sunshine 
Will warm all France again; 
The King shall rule ; 
And the people till their fields 
In peace and freedom! 
Ah France, fair France! 

{The people cheer her. Excitedly 
the soldiers surge toward her, 
screaming, — M wa y! " "A way 
to the scaffold!") 
Jeanne (cont>), — 

{tremulously) 
France farewell 

{She turns toward the priests. 
The soldiers and people are si^ 
lenced.) 
I have put you to much trouble. 
For that I trust you will forgive me; 
And, when I am no more, 
Who will, would render unto me 
The kindest act of all. 
If he would pray for me. 

(The friendly judges are over^ 
whelmed with sorrow,) 
Jeanne, — 

{moving to Warwick) 
206 III, X. 



My Lof d^ I am your pf isoner . 

{to Suffolk and the English) 
How empty your revenge. 

Fecamp, — 

{fearful, pushing forward) 
Confess your guilt 
That my conscience may be free; 
Confess , , , , confess! 

Jeanne, — 

God alone can take the burden 
From your soul; I am guiltless. 

{The English exulting surround 
her to take her away, The peo^ 
pie, fearful of the English pikes, 
crowd through the door and out 
into the sunshine, Many are 
weeping, Couchon, Estivet and 
Loyseleur {still wearing a smirk 
of satisfaction) pass out through 
the private doorway^ 
Led by Warwick and Massieu/ foU 
lowed by the prisoni' keepers, 
and the excited soldiers Jeanne 
moves across the room. Fecamp 
follows her feverishly, anxiously. 
The judges remain, silent) 
Suffolk — 

{contritely, as she passes) 
May God help you, 

Jeanne, — 

He will my Lord, farewelL 

{He stands aside as the screaming, 
vengeful throng pushes onward,) 



stands aside as the screaming 
igeful throng pushes onward. 



m,x, 207 



Jeanne, — 

(to Ysambard who has approached 
her) 
Go^ my father, bring the cross, 
And when the flames surround me, 
Hold it high 

That my dying eyes may see it, 
And speak to me holy words of comfort 
Even to the end, 

(He hastens away. 
Outside the wailing and the exults 
ing tumult of a multitude is 
heard,) 
Jeanne, — 

(to Manchon, Colles and the friends 
ly monks ) 
You, who still love France^ 
Be not dismayed/ 
God will not desert you! 
Good cheer} fight on! 

( Calm, midst the vengeful threats' 
ening mob, peaceful, trusting in 
her God, she passes on to the 
scaffold and death.) 
Suffolk,- 

(foUowing slowly after the sol'' 
diers, shaking his head sadly) 
Empty . . , . , fruitless . , , , , 
She was God's child , , . God's child 



» « 



206 



III, z. 



ACT III SCENE XL 

{After Suffolk has gone there is silence* 
The priests, listening to the sounds without, 
are gradually filled with the horror and aw^ 
fulness of their crime. One after the other 
falls to his knees in agony praying. 

The sun^'Spot in the center of the room 
darkens, then flashing forth fitfully, holds 
the priests spell^bound. Without the lam^ 
entations of the grief ^crazed multitude are 
heard. 

The sun-spot flickering, changing, sud^ 
denly burns red} an awed silence holds 
the priests within, the multitude without. 

The storm bursts. The horror^strick^ 
en multitude wails in anguish. Within the 
priests stand fearful.) 

Beaupere, — 

[delirious, screaming as one ac^ 
cursed ) 
We arc lost! 
We have killed a Saint! 

Midi.— 

(/fl woeful affliction) 
God have mercy on our souls! 

(The monks moan and pray in 
misery.) 

Ill, xi. 209 



Colics, — 

{breaking out fiercely) 
Though dead 
She shall live again! 
Manchon and others, — 

{vengefuUy, their patriotism afire) 
A thousand years! 
A thousand years! 

(As the curtain falls, from without, 
subdued, faint, midst the other 
noises the *'Veni Creator Spirits 
us" is heard, gradually become' 
ing more insistent, accompany 
led by the steady onward marchi' 
ing tread of a multitude, symi* 
bolizing the future of France.) 



(FINIS,) 



210 III, XI. 



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